Soup is one of those wonderful comfort foods that is great, no matter the weather. To that end, here are six soup recipes to help you through the day, including Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup and Ham and White Bean Soup. Enjoy!
LASAGNA SOUP
This yumminess is from Lidey Heuck in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Lidey wrote, "This simple, one-pot soup delivers all the comfort of a classic lasagna with very little of the work. A jar of marinara sauce is its secret to speedy flavor, along with a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage (though for ease, you can use one or the other), plus a pinch of ground nutmeg. Dried lasagna noodles are broken into small pieces and cooked directly in the soup, thickening the broth with their starches as they soften. Don’t skip the ricotta-Parmesan topping; it adds richness and the unmistakable essence of lasagna. This soup comes together quickly and is best served right away; the noodles will continue to absorb the broth as it sits."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 6 servings
This was featured in: "Will It Soup? Lasagna Edition." It can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025009-lasagna-soup. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Lots of recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic (from about 6 cloves)
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound bulk sweet Italian sausage (or sausages, with casings removed)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus more to taste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
8 ounces dried lasagna noodles, broken crosswise into 1-inch pieces
1-1/2 cups/12 ounces whole-milk ricotta
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn, plus more for serving
Preparation
In a large Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent but not browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the beef, sausage, oregano, nutmeg, crushed red pepper, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring often.
Add the chicken broth and marinara sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the lasagna noodles, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and the broth has reduced slightly.
While the soup simmers, combine the ricotta and Parmesan in a medium bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and mix well; set aside.
Off the heat, stir the cream and basil into the soup, then taste and add more salt and crushed red pepper, if desired.
Serve the soup in shallow bowls, topped with a large dollop of the ricotta mixture and a few torn basil leaves.
REAL LASAGNA SOUP
This is from John Mitzewich, aka Chef John, on AllRecipes. This yumminess begins, " If you love lasagna, but don’t love the time and effort it takes to do all that layering, then this amazing lasagna soup is for you. Unlike many of the other lasagna soup recipes online, this is way more than just some pasta, meat, and cheese sitting in a bowl of thinned out tomato sauce. This is real lasagna in soup form.
"Anyway, I loved how this came out, and I think one of the secrets is baking the pasta to give it more of the taste and texture of an actual baked lasagna noodle. They may not have looked much different in the final product, but I found the texture to be far superior to the standard technique, which is just to heat up some cooked pasta in the finished soup. So I do recommend the extra few minutes of prep, but either way, if you’re in the mood for lasagna, but aren’t into the whole production, I really do hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!"
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/real-lasagna-soup-recipe-7967799.
Ingredients
Noodles:
8 ounces dry lasagna noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
Soup Base:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
6 ounces bulk Italian sausage, or 1 Italian sausage links, casing removed
1 cup diced yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
1 (24 ounce) jar prepared marinara sauce, or 3 cups homemade marinara sauce
4 cups chicken broth
2-1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
Cheese Mixture:
12 ounces ricotta cheese
3 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Garnish:
1/2 cup torn fresh basil and Italian parsley leaves (optional)
Directions
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in lasagna noodles and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until just flexible, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer noodles into cold water until cooled; drain very well.
Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and grease parchment with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Cut noodles in half lengthwise. Arrange noodles in evenly overlapping rows on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with melted butter, and use fingers to rub some butter between the noodles.
Bake noodles in the preheated oven until they are golden, blistered, and are beginning to brown with crispy outside edges. Let cool; cut into bite-sized pieces.
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a soup pot, and place over high heat. Add beef and sausage. Use a spatula to break up the meat into small pieces; cook without stirring until liquid evaporates and meat begins to sizzle in its own fat, then continue to cook and stir until meat begins to brown, about 7 minutes.
Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, black pepper, and kosher salt. Cook and stir until onions begin to turn translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir in chicken broth, tomato sauce, and water. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 45 minutes.
In a bowl, stir ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese together; set aside.
Increase the heat under soup to medium high; stir in noodle pieces. Cook, stirring, until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and stir in the 2 tablespoons Italian parsley.
Serve in bowls with a scoop of cheese mixture, and sprinkle with freshly torn basil and Italian parsley if desired.
Cook’s Note
The pasta does not have to be baked first, and can simply be broken up raw, stirred into the soup, and cooked until tender. Other pasta shapes can be used instead.
More or less chicken broth can be used for a thicker or thinner soup texture.
SLOW COOKER CREAMY CORN CHOWDER
This is from Diana Rattray at The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, " Corn chowder is one of those soups you can eat year round—it is comforting on a cold day, but also highlights one of the summer's best crops. It is a versatile recipe, allowing for additions (like bacon and chopped red pepper), as well as alterations (like keeping it chunky or puréeing half of the mixture). Corn chowder is also easily made vegetarian by swapping out the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
"What makes this recipe even more appealing is that it is cooked in a crock pot instead of on the stove. You can start the soup in the morning, and then finish it off an hour or so before dinnertime. And because it is filling and nutritious, all you need alongside are biscuits or crackers and a simple salad."
Prep Time: 20 mins; Cook Time: 8 hrs; Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins; Servings: 6 to 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
32 ounces corn (2 16-ounce cans, drained)
3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or red-skinned)
1 medium onion
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
1 tablespoon butter
2 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled, or chopped chives or parsley), optional, garnish
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Combine the corn, potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, and chicken broth in a slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.
Purée in a blender or food processor, or using an immersion blender, if desired, then return to the pot.
Stir in milk and butter; cover and cook on high about 30 to 60 minutes more.
Garnish with crumbled bacon and/or chopped chives, if desired.
Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients
Steam expands quickly in a blender, and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.
Tip
This recipe calls for canned corn, but you can use frozen kernels if you like. And if you are making this in summer when the corn is at its peak, by all means, use fresh ears (about 6 ears) of corn. To make removing the kernels from the ears easier and less messy, place the ear of corn on the center of a Bundt or tube pan, sticking the point of the ear in the hole a bit. Using a serrated knife, slice down the ear, rotating around, allowing the kernels to fall into the base of the cake pan.
Recipe Variation
Add some protein to the soup if you like. Ham, shrimp, lobster, and bacon are excellent choices. Cook the meat or shellfish and add them to the soup shortly before it's ready. If using shellfish, replace the chicken stock with clam juice or broth.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
HEARTY HAM AND WHITE BEAN SOUP
This is by Pam Anderson and was in the January 2010 issue of Runner's World (page 44; "The Athlete's Palate"). It begins, "The cabbage in this dish is rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as phytonutrients that helpl protect against some cancers. To save time and speed up the cooking process, heat the broth and tomatoes in the microwave while chopping the vegetables."
Pam Anderson has a really great cooking site, called Three Many Cooks. I really recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap
And now, on to the soup.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced into medium pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 large carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced thin
1/2 cabbage, cored, cut into bite-size shreds
12 ounces lean ham steak, diced into small pieces
1 quart chicken broth
1 14.5-ounce can petite-diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, undrained
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Heat the oil over medium-high in a soup kettles. Add the onion, saute until soft and golden, about five minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and saute until fragrant, about one minute. Add the remaining ingredients, then bring to a full simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low, simmer gently (partially covered) until the vegetables are just cooked and flavors blended, about 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley; cover and let stand five minutes. Serve's six.
CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
This yummy soup is from Chungah, on her wonderful site, Damn Delicious. I've mentioned her site once or twice. But if you haven't visited it yet, I highly recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap...)
Okay, hopefully you checked it out. Now, this recipe begins, "So warm, so cozy, so soothing. A must for those busy cold weeknights, using up that leftover rotisserie chicken!"
Yield: 8 servings; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes
You can view this online at https://damndelicious.net/2022/04/29/creamy-chicken-noodle-soup/.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 sweet onion, diced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery ribs, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup dry white wine
6 cups chicken stock
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 cups leftover shredded rotisserie chicken
2 cups wide egg noodles
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup frozen green peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in chicken stock and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until flavors have blended, about 10 minutes.
Stir in chicken and pasta and cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes.
Stir in heavy cream, peas and parsley until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve immediately.
Confessions of a Foodie
Showing posts with label Weight Watchers Slow-Cooker Soup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Watchers Slow-Cooker Soup. Show all posts
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Slow Cooker Recipes
While yesterday's post dealt with Quick Meals, today's post deals with Slow Cooker Recipes. Makes sense, right? Check out the Melt-in-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf, the Crock Pot Lasagna, or any of the other Slow Cooker recipes in today's post. Enjoy!
EASY SAUSAGE, PEPPERS AND ONIONS WITH ELBOWS
This is from Kori Lavertue at AllRecipes. Kori wrote, "On days when my schedule is overloaded, this easy throw-together recipe is always a hit with my family."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 3 hours 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, to go https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/219058/easy-sausage-peppers-and-onions-with-elbows/.
Ingredients
1 pound sweet Italian sausages
1 pound hot Italian sausages
2 green bell peppers, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 large sweet onion (such as Vidalia®), sliced
1 (24 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
Directions
Place the sweet and hot sausages, green and red peppers, onion, and pasta sauce in a slow cooker. Add about 1/2 a jar of water. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours.
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
Slice the cooked sausages, then return to the slow cooker. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving the sausage, peppers, and onion over the macaroni.
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!
MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH MEAT LOAF
This is from Suzanne Codner (from Starbuck, Minnesota), on the Taste of Home website. Suzanne wrote, "When my husband and I were first married, he refused to eat meat loaf because he said it was bland and dry. Then I prepared this version, and it became his favorite meal." Sometimes, all it takes is the right recipe!
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 5 hours 15 minutes + standing time; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/melt-in-your-mouth-meat-loaf/.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
3/4 cup 2% milk
2/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
Cut two 25x3-in. strips of heavy-duty foil; crisscross so they resemble an X. Place strips on bottom and up sides of a 5-qt. slow cooker. Coat strips with cooking spray.
Combine the first 6 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into a round loaf; place in center of strips in slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until a thermometer reads at least 160°.
In a small bowl, whisk ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon over meat loaf. Cook until heated through, about 15 minutes longer. Using foil strips as handles, remove meat loaf to a platter. Let stand 10-15 minutes before slicing.
CROCK POT LASAGNA
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Discover the fix-it-and-forget-it way to make lasagna! It's so easy.”
Makes 8 servings.
Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 jar (26 to 28 oz.) tomato pasta sauce
1 can (8 oz.) no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2 pkg. (9 oz. = about 8) no-boil lasagna noodles
1 jar (1 lb.) Alfredo pasta sauce
3 cups (12 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
Spray 4 to 5 quart crock pot/slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 3/4 cup of the tomato pasta sauce in bottom of sprayed slow cooker. Stir remaining tomato pasta sauce and tomato sauce into ground beef.
Layer 3 lasagna noodles over sauce in the crock pot/slow cooker, breaking noodles as necessary. Top with 1/3 of the Alfredo pasta sauce, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with 1/3 of the ground beef mixture, spreading evenly.
Repeat layering twice, using 2 lasagna noodles in last layer. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.
Cover and cook on LOW heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours. If desired, cut into wedges to serve.
SLOW COOKER CREAMY CORN CHOWDER
This is from Diana Rattray at The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, " Corn chowder is one of those soups you can eat year round—it is comforting on a cold day, but also highlights one of the summer's best crops. It is a versatile recipe, allowing for additions (like bacon and chopped red pepper), as well as alterations (like keeping it chunky or puréeing half of the mixture). Corn chowder is also easily made vegetarian by swapping out the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
"What makes this recipe even more appealing is that it is cooked in a crock pot instead of on the stove. You can start the soup in the morning, and then finish it off an hour or so before dinnertime. And because it is filling and nutritious, all you need alongside are biscuits or crackers and a simple salad."
Prep Time: 20 mins; Cook Time: 8 hrs; Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins; Servings: 6 to 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
32 ounces corn (2 16-ounce cans, drained)
3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or red-skinned)
1 medium onion
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
1 tablespoon butter
2 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled, or chopped chives or parsley), optional, garnish
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Combine the corn, potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, and chicken broth in a slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.
Purée in a blender or food processor, or using an immersion blender, if desired, then return to the pot.
Stir in milk and butter; cover and cook on high about 30 to 60 minutes more.
Garnish with crumbled bacon and/or chopped chives, if desired.
Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients
Steam expands quickly in a blender, and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.
Tip
This recipe calls for canned corn, but you can use frozen kernels if you like. And if you are making this in summer when the corn is at its peak, by all means, use fresh ears (about 6 ears) of corn. To make removing the kernels from the ears easier and less messy, place the ear of corn on the center of a Bundt or tube pan, sticking the point of the ear in the hole a bit. Using a serrated knife, slice down the ear, rotating around, allowing the kernels to fall into the base of the cake pan.
Recipe Variation
Add some protein to the soup if you like. Ham, shrimp, lobster, and bacon are excellent choices. Cook the meat or shellfish and add them to the soup shortly before it's ready. If using shellfish, replace the chicken stock with clam juice or broth.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
EASY SAUSAGE, PEPPERS AND ONIONS WITH ELBOWS
This is from Kori Lavertue at AllRecipes. Kori wrote, "On days when my schedule is overloaded, this easy throw-together recipe is always a hit with my family."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 3 hours 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, to go https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/219058/easy-sausage-peppers-and-onions-with-elbows/.
Ingredients
1 pound sweet Italian sausages
1 pound hot Italian sausages
2 green bell peppers, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 large sweet onion (such as Vidalia®), sliced
1 (24 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
Directions
Place the sweet and hot sausages, green and red peppers, onion, and pasta sauce in a slow cooker. Add about 1/2 a jar of water. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours.
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
Slice the cooked sausages, then return to the slow cooker. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving the sausage, peppers, and onion over the macaroni.
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!
MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH MEAT LOAF
This is from Suzanne Codner (from Starbuck, Minnesota), on the Taste of Home website. Suzanne wrote, "When my husband and I were first married, he refused to eat meat loaf because he said it was bland and dry. Then I prepared this version, and it became his favorite meal." Sometimes, all it takes is the right recipe!
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 5 hours 15 minutes + standing time; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/melt-in-your-mouth-meat-loaf/.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
3/4 cup 2% milk
2/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
Cut two 25x3-in. strips of heavy-duty foil; crisscross so they resemble an X. Place strips on bottom and up sides of a 5-qt. slow cooker. Coat strips with cooking spray.
Combine the first 6 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into a round loaf; place in center of strips in slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until a thermometer reads at least 160°.
In a small bowl, whisk ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon over meat loaf. Cook until heated through, about 15 minutes longer. Using foil strips as handles, remove meat loaf to a platter. Let stand 10-15 minutes before slicing.
CROCK POT LASAGNA
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list, and begins, “Discover the fix-it-and-forget-it way to make lasagna! It's so easy.”
Makes 8 servings.
Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 jar (26 to 28 oz.) tomato pasta sauce
1 can (8 oz.) no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2 pkg. (9 oz. = about 8) no-boil lasagna noodles
1 jar (1 lb.) Alfredo pasta sauce
3 cups (12 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
Spray 4 to 5 quart crock pot/slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 3/4 cup of the tomato pasta sauce in bottom of sprayed slow cooker. Stir remaining tomato pasta sauce and tomato sauce into ground beef.
Layer 3 lasagna noodles over sauce in the crock pot/slow cooker, breaking noodles as necessary. Top with 1/3 of the Alfredo pasta sauce, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with 1/3 of the ground beef mixture, spreading evenly.
Repeat layering twice, using 2 lasagna noodles in last layer. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.
Cover and cook on LOW heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours. If desired, cut into wedges to serve.
SLOW COOKER CREAMY CORN CHOWDER
This is from Diana Rattray at The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, " Corn chowder is one of those soups you can eat year round—it is comforting on a cold day, but also highlights one of the summer's best crops. It is a versatile recipe, allowing for additions (like bacon and chopped red pepper), as well as alterations (like keeping it chunky or puréeing half of the mixture). Corn chowder is also easily made vegetarian by swapping out the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
"What makes this recipe even more appealing is that it is cooked in a crock pot instead of on the stove. You can start the soup in the morning, and then finish it off an hour or so before dinnertime. And because it is filling and nutritious, all you need alongside are biscuits or crackers and a simple salad."
Prep Time: 20 mins; Cook Time: 8 hrs; Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins; Servings: 6 to 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
32 ounces corn (2 16-ounce cans, drained)
3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or red-skinned)
1 medium onion
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
1 tablespoon butter
2 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled, or chopped chives or parsley), optional, garnish
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Combine the corn, potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, and chicken broth in a slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.
Purée in a blender or food processor, or using an immersion blender, if desired, then return to the pot.
Stir in milk and butter; cover and cook on high about 30 to 60 minutes more.
Garnish with crumbled bacon and/or chopped chives, if desired.
Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients
Steam expands quickly in a blender, and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.
Tip
This recipe calls for canned corn, but you can use frozen kernels if you like. And if you are making this in summer when the corn is at its peak, by all means, use fresh ears (about 6 ears) of corn. To make removing the kernels from the ears easier and less messy, place the ear of corn on the center of a Bundt or tube pan, sticking the point of the ear in the hole a bit. Using a serrated knife, slice down the ear, rotating around, allowing the kernels to fall into the base of the cake pan.
Recipe Variation
Add some protein to the soup if you like. Ham, shrimp, lobster, and bacon are excellent choices. Cook the meat or shellfish and add them to the soup shortly before it's ready. If using shellfish, replace the chicken stock with clam juice or broth.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Soup's On!
While soup is wonderful during the winter, there's no reason you can't have it during other times of the year. To that end, here are six yummy soup recipes to help you through the day, including Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup and Potato Corn Chowder. Enjoy!
AUTUMN VEGETABLE MINESTRONE
This is from an older Weight Watchers' emailing list.
Ingredients
2 14.5 oz cans vegetable broth
1 18 oz can crushed tomatoes – undrained
3 medium carrots, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
3 small zucchini, cut into 1/2" slices
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2" pieces
8 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 teaspoons dried marjoram
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Directions
Mix all ingredients except rice and basil in a 3-1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in rice. Cover and cook on low heat setting for about 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
Per serving: WW Points: 1; 195 Calories; 2g Total Fat; 7g Protein; 39g Carbohydrate; 1mg Cholesterol; 1198mg Sodium
PUMPKIN SOUP
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.
Source: AICR
Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/pumpkin-soup-2.
Ingredients
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
4 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) (butternut squash may be substituted)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. light whipping cream (optional)
1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped
Nutmeg (optional)
Directions
In large pot over medium-high heat add 3 cups broth, pumpkin, onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce to low and simmer uncovered, about 30 minutes.
Puree mixture until smooth, in small batches, using blender or food processor. Return to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes. Add remaining broth as desired. (Optional, stir in cream.)
Pour into bowls. Garnish with parsley (or sprinkle of nutmeg) and serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 284 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
HEARTY HAM AND WHITE BEAN SOUP
This is by Pam Anderson and was in the January 2010 issue of Runner's World (page 44; "The Athlete's Palate"). It begins, "The cabbage in this dish is rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as phytonutrients that helpl protect against some cancers. To save time and speed up the cooking process, heat the broth and tomatoes in the microwave while chopping the vegetables."
Pam Anderson has a really great cooking site, called Three Many Cooks. I really recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap
And now, on to the soup.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced into medium pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 large carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced thin
1/2 cabbage, cored, cut into bite-size shreds
12 ounces lean ham steak, diced into small pieces
1 quart chicken broth
1 14.5-ounce can petite-diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, undrained
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Heat the oil over medium-high in a soup kettles. Add the onion, saute until soft and golden, about five minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and saute until fragrant, about one minute. Add the remaining ingredients, then bring to a full simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low, simmer gently (partially covered) until the vegetables are just cooked and flavors blended, about 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley; cover and let stand five minutes. Serve's six.
SLOW COOKER CREAMY CORN CHOWDER
This is from Diana Rattray at The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, " Corn chowder is one of those soups you can eat year round—it is comforting on a cold day, but also highlights one of the summer's best crops. It is a versatile recipe, allowing for additions (like bacon and chopped red pepper), as well as alterations (like keeping it chunky or puréeing half of the mixture). Corn chowder is also easily made vegetarian by swapping out the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
"What makes this recipe even more appealing is that it is cooked in a crock pot instead of on the stove. You can start the soup in the morning, and then finish it off an hour or so before dinnertime. And because it is filling and nutritious, all you need alongside are biscuits or crackers and a simple salad."
Prep Time: 20 mins; Cook Time: 8 hrs; Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins; Servings: 6 to 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
32 ounces corn (2 16-ounce cans, drained)
3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or red-skinned)
1 medium onion
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
1 tablespoon butter
2 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled, or chopped chives or parsley), optional, garnish
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Combine the corn, potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, and chicken broth in a slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.
Purée in a blender or food processor, or using an immersion blender, if desired, then return to the pot.
Stir in milk and butter; cover and cook on high about 30 to 60 minutes more.
Garnish with crumbled bacon and/or chopped chives, if desired.
Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients
Steam expands quickly in a blender, and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.
Tip
This recipe calls for canned corn, but you can use frozen kernels if you like. And if you are making this in summer when the corn is at its peak, by all means, use fresh ears (about 6 ears) of corn. To make removing the kernels from the ears easier and less messy, place the ear of corn on the center of a Bundt or tube pan, sticking the point of the ear in the hole a bit. Using a serrated knife, slice down the ear, rotating around, allowing the kernels to fall into the base of the cake pan.
Recipe Variation
Add some protein to the soup if you like. Ham, shrimp, lobster, and bacon are excellent choices. Cook the meat or shellfish and add them to the soup shortly before it's ready. If using shellfish, replace the chicken stock with clam juice or broth.
POTATO CORN CHOWDER
This comes from UnitedHealthcare, and begins, "Serving more than two? Double the recipe for a cold-weather meal."
Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 2
To view this online, go to https://www.medicare.uhc.com/wellness/health/uhcarticle/hwal-potato-corn-chowder.
Ingredients
1 cup loose-pack frozen whole-kernel corn
1 cup loose-pack frozen diced hash brown potatoes with onion and peppers
3/4 cup water
3/4 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon granules
1 clove garlic, minced
Dash white or black pepper
1 12-ounce can evaporated fat-free milk
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Snipped fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine corn, hash brown potatoes, water, bouillon granules, garlic and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cook, covered, about 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Do not drain.
Gradually stir the milk into the flour; add milk mixture to vegetable mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
To serve, ladle the chowder into serving bowls. If desired, sprinkle each serving with parsley. Makes 2 servings.
Serving Size: 2 cups. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 281 cal., 1 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg chol., 438 mg sodium, 55 g carb., 3 g fiber, 25 g sugar, 16 g protein
AUTUMN VEGETABLE MINESTRONE
This is from an older Weight Watchers' emailing list.
Ingredients
2 14.5 oz cans vegetable broth
1 18 oz can crushed tomatoes – undrained
3 medium carrots, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
3 small zucchini, cut into 1/2" slices
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2" pieces
8 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 teaspoons dried marjoram
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Directions
Mix all ingredients except rice and basil in a 3-1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in rice. Cover and cook on low heat setting for about 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
Per serving: WW Points: 1; 195 Calories; 2g Total Fat; 7g Protein; 39g Carbohydrate; 1mg Cholesterol; 1198mg Sodium
PUMPKIN SOUP
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.
Source: AICR
Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/pumpkin-soup-2.
Ingredients
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
4 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) (butternut squash may be substituted)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. light whipping cream (optional)
1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped
Nutmeg (optional)
Directions
In large pot over medium-high heat add 3 cups broth, pumpkin, onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce to low and simmer uncovered, about 30 minutes.
Puree mixture until smooth, in small batches, using blender or food processor. Return to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes. Add remaining broth as desired. (Optional, stir in cream.)
Pour into bowls. Garnish with parsley (or sprinkle of nutmeg) and serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 284 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
HEARTY HAM AND WHITE BEAN SOUP
This is by Pam Anderson and was in the January 2010 issue of Runner's World (page 44; "The Athlete's Palate"). It begins, "The cabbage in this dish is rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as phytonutrients that helpl protect against some cancers. To save time and speed up the cooking process, heat the broth and tomatoes in the microwave while chopping the vegetables."
Pam Anderson has a really great cooking site, called Three Many Cooks. I really recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap
And now, on to the soup.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced into medium pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 large carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced thin
1/2 cabbage, cored, cut into bite-size shreds
12 ounces lean ham steak, diced into small pieces
1 quart chicken broth
1 14.5-ounce can petite-diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, undrained
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Heat the oil over medium-high in a soup kettles. Add the onion, saute until soft and golden, about five minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and saute until fragrant, about one minute. Add the remaining ingredients, then bring to a full simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low, simmer gently (partially covered) until the vegetables are just cooked and flavors blended, about 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley; cover and let stand five minutes. Serve's six.
SLOW COOKER CREAMY CORN CHOWDER
This is from Diana Rattray at The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, " Corn chowder is one of those soups you can eat year round—it is comforting on a cold day, but also highlights one of the summer's best crops. It is a versatile recipe, allowing for additions (like bacon and chopped red pepper), as well as alterations (like keeping it chunky or puréeing half of the mixture). Corn chowder is also easily made vegetarian by swapping out the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
"What makes this recipe even more appealing is that it is cooked in a crock pot instead of on the stove. You can start the soup in the morning, and then finish it off an hour or so before dinnertime. And because it is filling and nutritious, all you need alongside are biscuits or crackers and a simple salad."
Prep Time: 20 mins; Cook Time: 8 hrs; Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins; Servings: 6 to 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
32 ounces corn (2 16-ounce cans, drained)
3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or red-skinned)
1 medium onion
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
1 tablespoon butter
2 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled, or chopped chives or parsley), optional, garnish
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Combine the corn, potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, and chicken broth in a slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.
Purée in a blender or food processor, or using an immersion blender, if desired, then return to the pot.
Stir in milk and butter; cover and cook on high about 30 to 60 minutes more.
Garnish with crumbled bacon and/or chopped chives, if desired.
Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients
Steam expands quickly in a blender, and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.
Tip
This recipe calls for canned corn, but you can use frozen kernels if you like. And if you are making this in summer when the corn is at its peak, by all means, use fresh ears (about 6 ears) of corn. To make removing the kernels from the ears easier and less messy, place the ear of corn on the center of a Bundt or tube pan, sticking the point of the ear in the hole a bit. Using a serrated knife, slice down the ear, rotating around, allowing the kernels to fall into the base of the cake pan.
Recipe Variation
Add some protein to the soup if you like. Ham, shrimp, lobster, and bacon are excellent choices. Cook the meat or shellfish and add them to the soup shortly before it's ready. If using shellfish, replace the chicken stock with clam juice or broth.
POTATO CORN CHOWDER
This comes from UnitedHealthcare, and begins, "Serving more than two? Double the recipe for a cold-weather meal."
Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 2
To view this online, go to https://www.medicare.uhc.com/wellness/health/uhcarticle/hwal-potato-corn-chowder.
Ingredients
1 cup loose-pack frozen whole-kernel corn
1 cup loose-pack frozen diced hash brown potatoes with onion and peppers
3/4 cup water
3/4 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon granules
1 clove garlic, minced
Dash white or black pepper
1 12-ounce can evaporated fat-free milk
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Snipped fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine corn, hash brown potatoes, water, bouillon granules, garlic and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cook, covered, about 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Do not drain.
Gradually stir the milk into the flour; add milk mixture to vegetable mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
To serve, ladle the chowder into serving bowls. If desired, sprinkle each serving with parsley. Makes 2 servings.
Serving Size: 2 cups. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 281 cal., 1 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg chol., 438 mg sodium, 55 g carb., 3 g fiber, 25 g sugar, 16 g protein
Monday, April 25, 2022
Meatless Monday
It's Monday, time to get the week started again with Meatless Monday. Today's offerings include Country Panzanella With Watermelon Dressing and Everyday Buddha Bowl. Enjoy!
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.
Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
EVERYDAY BUDDHA BOWL
This comes from Jenné Claiborne, who runs a cool site, Sweet Potato Soul. If you've never run across her site - and I hadn't, until seeing a link on The Penny Hoarder - I seriously advise you to check out Sweet Potato Soul. You won't regret it.
(You also should check out The Penny Hoarder, too. Lots of good info...)
Anywho, for this recipe, Jenné wrote, "A Buddha bowl is a well balanced vegetable and grain bowl inspired by the principles of the macrobiotic diet. In case you aren’t familiar with it, the macrobiotic diet is a way of eating that recommends a grain and vegetable based diet, and emphasizes the balance of yin and yang in food for greater health. The modern macrobiotic diet has its roots in Japan, and like traditional Japanese cuisine the synergy between the different flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, light, and hot) is important to every meal. I suppose the “Buddha” bowl is a western co-optation of the macrobiotic bowl. I happen to adore it because it is 1.) absolutely delicious, 2.) crazy easy to make throughout the week, 3.) comforting and nourishing, 4.) very healthy, and 5.) pretty."
She also added, "The big key to making this Buddha bowl quickly is cooking your grains, legumes, and veggies ahead of time. I do this about twice a week, so that it only takes me 5 minutes tops to have this delicious bowl. The sauce is really great, so you may want to double my recipe."
She also has a cool ebook titled "5 Ingredient Vegan" for $5.55 that you might want to check out.
Okay, now. For this recipe, prep time: 5 minutes; makes 4 servings. To check this on Jenné's site, go to https://sweetpotatosoul.com/everyday-buddha-bowl/.
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes cubed & roasted
2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 heads broccoli chopped and steamed or roasted
2-3 cups cooked lentils or beans two 14-oz cans
1-2 cups kimchi or sauerkraut
fennel seeds black sesame seeds, and chili flakes
Tahini Miso Sauce
1 tbsp light or yellow miso
1/4 cup tahini
juice from 1/2 a lemon
3-5 tbsp water
dash of cayenne pepper
Instructions
Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl, and stir until smooth and creamy. Add more water to thin if you like.
Place the sweet potatoes, rice, broccoli, lentils/beans, and kimchi in bowls. Top with tahini miso sauce, fennel seeds, black sesame seeds, and chili flakes.
Take a picture and post your photo to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter using #sweetpotatosoul
CINNAMON-MAPLE APPLESAUCE
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Samantha wrote, "Applesauce isn’t just for babies. Sure, this very basic version is perfect for tender palates, but it also works as the base for many a sweet treat. In the fall you might try swapping in 1 1/2 pounds of pears for half of the apples and a bit of caramel in place of the maple. (Omit the maple syrup if serving with savory foods.) In the summer, swap out some of the apples for red plums for a tangy and a beautifully pink variation that’s lovely served over vanilla ice cream. Add a bit of grated ginger and a few plump medjool dates to make a sophisticated purée that would be nice with some whipped cream or even a pork chop. Make extra, as it doubles easily and freezes well, too."
Yield: 3 cups; Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022568-cinnamon-maple-applesauce.
Ingredients
3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 2-inch chunks, both tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Gala and Pink Lady
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more as needed
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Preparation
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine apples, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, maple syrup and cinnamon, cover, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the apples have softened, around 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for another 5 minutes, until any excess liquid cooks off.
For a chunky sauce, use a potato masher to carefully mash the apples. For a smooth sauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse to your desired consistency. If you like a thinner sauce, add up to 1/2 cup of water.
Taste and add a bit more maple syrup as necessary. (It will depend on the combination of apples.) Stir in a pinch of kosher salt.
Tip
To make this applesauce in the Instant Pot, add all the ingredients to the pot, cover, and set the pressure cooker to high. Allow it to come to pressure, let cook for 5 minutes, then immediately release the pressure. Carefully open the lid. Continue with the recipe from Step 2.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
COUNTRY PANZANELLA WITH WATERMELON DRESSING
This comes from Gabrielle E.W. Carter, and is adapted by Nicole Taylor and Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking newsletter. For this recipe, Nicole and Yewande wrote, "Consumed plainly or with a salt sprinkle, fresh watermelon conjures warm-weather memories. In the U.S. (primarily in the American South), master gardeners are growing heirloom (seedful) varieties: sugar baby, jubilee and Georgia rattlesnake. In Apex, N.C., Gabrielle E.W. Carter is the new steward of the property once owned by her maternal great-grandfather, where she grows herbs, tomatoes and watermelon. As a multimedia artist, she is documenting the food ways of Black families in Eastern North Carolina and preserving cooking traditions using fruits and vegetables straight from the garden. Crimson-flesh watermelon transforms the classic panzanella with a balanced sweetness. Using a coarse grater is essential in achieving a vibrant, textured dressing. Bocconcini can be substituted for feta cheese in this salad, which pairs well with festive mains like dry-rub mushrooms and spicy tamarind pork ribs."
Yield: 8 to 10 servings (about 16 cups); Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "Summer’s Greatest Prize: Watermelons, With Seeds, Please", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022283-country-panzanella-with-watermelon-dressing.
Note: The article that this was featured in makes some very interesting reading, especially for anyone who enjoys learning about the history of food. (Yes, there is such as thing!)
Ingredients
For the dressing:
1/2 pound piece of skin-on watermelon, seeds discarded
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Kosher salt
2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
For the salad:
1/2 loaf day-old ciabatta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 loose cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 pounds watermelon, rind discarded cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 packed cups)
3 medium heirloom tomatoes (about 1 3/4 to 2 pounds), cut into 1-inch-wide wedges (about 5 loose cups)
1 medium seedless cucumber (about 1/2 pound), trimmed, halved lengthwise then sliced 1/4-inch-thick (about 2 cups)
1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), peeled and sliced (about 1 loose cup)
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Preparation
Make the dressing: Using a coarse grater set over a medium bowl, grate the watermelon flesh then rind, grating the rind all the way to the skin. (You should have about 1 cup grated watermelon.) Discard the firm skin. Add the sugar and 1 teaspoon salt; stir to dissolve the sugar and salt grains. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes.
Add the garlic, mustard, thyme leaves, red-pepper flakes, ground black pepper, vinegar and oil. Whisk together (or transfer to a mason jar, cover and shake vigorously). The dressing makes 2 cups, and will keep, refrigerated, up to 1 week; shake before use.
Make the salad: Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a small sheet pan, toss the cubed bread, olive oil, thyme and sea salt together. Spread in a single layer and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until toasted and golden brown.
In a large serving bowl, combine the watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion. Drain any excess liquid before adding the toasted bread cubes and half the basil. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of the dressing and season with salt and pepper. Divide among individual bowls, if you like. Top with crumbled feta, remaining basil leaves and spoon additional dressing over the top.
ROASTED GARLIC HUMMUS
This was in the October 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 34), and begins, "This creamy-zesty dip has more than 40 cloves of garlic in it. Yet, roasting the garlic softens the cloves to a creamy, slightly sweet pulp that doesn’t overwhelm other flavors or give off that typical garlicky aroma."
Makes 3 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-garlic-hummus/.
Ingredients
4-5 heads garlic
1 Tbs. plus 1/4 cup olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
1 28-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 Tbs. tahini
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut tops from garlic heads to reveal tips of garlic cloves. Place garlic heads on large sheet of foil, and drizzle with 1 Tbs. olive oil. Wrap garlic heads tightly in foil, and bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until garlic heads feel soft through foil. Cool in foil.
Purée chickpeas 1 minute in food processor, or until finely chopped. Add lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, tahini, and 1/2 cup water. Blend chickpea mixture 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth.
Squeeze roasted garlic pulp from each clove into chickpea mixture in bowl of food processor. Pulse hummus several times to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in thin layer on large plate, and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with whole-wheat pita wedges.
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.
Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
EVERYDAY BUDDHA BOWL
This comes from Jenné Claiborne, who runs a cool site, Sweet Potato Soul. If you've never run across her site - and I hadn't, until seeing a link on The Penny Hoarder - I seriously advise you to check out Sweet Potato Soul. You won't regret it.
(You also should check out The Penny Hoarder, too. Lots of good info...)
Anywho, for this recipe, Jenné wrote, "A Buddha bowl is a well balanced vegetable and grain bowl inspired by the principles of the macrobiotic diet. In case you aren’t familiar with it, the macrobiotic diet is a way of eating that recommends a grain and vegetable based diet, and emphasizes the balance of yin and yang in food for greater health. The modern macrobiotic diet has its roots in Japan, and like traditional Japanese cuisine the synergy between the different flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, light, and hot) is important to every meal. I suppose the “Buddha” bowl is a western co-optation of the macrobiotic bowl. I happen to adore it because it is 1.) absolutely delicious, 2.) crazy easy to make throughout the week, 3.) comforting and nourishing, 4.) very healthy, and 5.) pretty."
She also added, "The big key to making this Buddha bowl quickly is cooking your grains, legumes, and veggies ahead of time. I do this about twice a week, so that it only takes me 5 minutes tops to have this delicious bowl. The sauce is really great, so you may want to double my recipe."
She also has a cool ebook titled "5 Ingredient Vegan" for $5.55 that you might want to check out.
Okay, now. For this recipe, prep time: 5 minutes; makes 4 servings. To check this on Jenné's site, go to https://sweetpotatosoul.com/everyday-buddha-bowl/.
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes cubed & roasted
2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 heads broccoli chopped and steamed or roasted
2-3 cups cooked lentils or beans two 14-oz cans
1-2 cups kimchi or sauerkraut
fennel seeds black sesame seeds, and chili flakes
Tahini Miso Sauce
1 tbsp light or yellow miso
1/4 cup tahini
juice from 1/2 a lemon
3-5 tbsp water
dash of cayenne pepper
Instructions
Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl, and stir until smooth and creamy. Add more water to thin if you like.
Place the sweet potatoes, rice, broccoli, lentils/beans, and kimchi in bowls. Top with tahini miso sauce, fennel seeds, black sesame seeds, and chili flakes.
Take a picture and post your photo to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter using #sweetpotatosoul
CINNAMON-MAPLE APPLESAUCE
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Samantha wrote, "Applesauce isn’t just for babies. Sure, this very basic version is perfect for tender palates, but it also works as the base for many a sweet treat. In the fall you might try swapping in 1 1/2 pounds of pears for half of the apples and a bit of caramel in place of the maple. (Omit the maple syrup if serving with savory foods.) In the summer, swap out some of the apples for red plums for a tangy and a beautifully pink variation that’s lovely served over vanilla ice cream. Add a bit of grated ginger and a few plump medjool dates to make a sophisticated purée that would be nice with some whipped cream or even a pork chop. Make extra, as it doubles easily and freezes well, too."
Yield: 3 cups; Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022568-cinnamon-maple-applesauce.
Ingredients
3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 2-inch chunks, both tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Gala and Pink Lady
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more as needed
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Preparation
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine apples, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, maple syrup and cinnamon, cover, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the apples have softened, around 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for another 5 minutes, until any excess liquid cooks off.
For a chunky sauce, use a potato masher to carefully mash the apples. For a smooth sauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse to your desired consistency. If you like a thinner sauce, add up to 1/2 cup of water.
Taste and add a bit more maple syrup as necessary. (It will depend on the combination of apples.) Stir in a pinch of kosher salt.
Tip
To make this applesauce in the Instant Pot, add all the ingredients to the pot, cover, and set the pressure cooker to high. Allow it to come to pressure, let cook for 5 minutes, then immediately release the pressure. Carefully open the lid. Continue with the recipe from Step 2.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
COUNTRY PANZANELLA WITH WATERMELON DRESSING
This comes from Gabrielle E.W. Carter, and is adapted by Nicole Taylor and Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking newsletter. For this recipe, Nicole and Yewande wrote, "Consumed plainly or with a salt sprinkle, fresh watermelon conjures warm-weather memories. In the U.S. (primarily in the American South), master gardeners are growing heirloom (seedful) varieties: sugar baby, jubilee and Georgia rattlesnake. In Apex, N.C., Gabrielle E.W. Carter is the new steward of the property once owned by her maternal great-grandfather, where she grows herbs, tomatoes and watermelon. As a multimedia artist, she is documenting the food ways of Black families in Eastern North Carolina and preserving cooking traditions using fruits and vegetables straight from the garden. Crimson-flesh watermelon transforms the classic panzanella with a balanced sweetness. Using a coarse grater is essential in achieving a vibrant, textured dressing. Bocconcini can be substituted for feta cheese in this salad, which pairs well with festive mains like dry-rub mushrooms and spicy tamarind pork ribs."
Yield: 8 to 10 servings (about 16 cups); Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "Summer’s Greatest Prize: Watermelons, With Seeds, Please", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022283-country-panzanella-with-watermelon-dressing.
Note: The article that this was featured in makes some very interesting reading, especially for anyone who enjoys learning about the history of food. (Yes, there is such as thing!)
Ingredients
For the dressing:
1/2 pound piece of skin-on watermelon, seeds discarded
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Kosher salt
2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
For the salad:
1/2 loaf day-old ciabatta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 loose cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 pounds watermelon, rind discarded cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 packed cups)
3 medium heirloom tomatoes (about 1 3/4 to 2 pounds), cut into 1-inch-wide wedges (about 5 loose cups)
1 medium seedless cucumber (about 1/2 pound), trimmed, halved lengthwise then sliced 1/4-inch-thick (about 2 cups)
1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), peeled and sliced (about 1 loose cup)
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Preparation
Make the dressing: Using a coarse grater set over a medium bowl, grate the watermelon flesh then rind, grating the rind all the way to the skin. (You should have about 1 cup grated watermelon.) Discard the firm skin. Add the sugar and 1 teaspoon salt; stir to dissolve the sugar and salt grains. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes.
Add the garlic, mustard, thyme leaves, red-pepper flakes, ground black pepper, vinegar and oil. Whisk together (or transfer to a mason jar, cover and shake vigorously). The dressing makes 2 cups, and will keep, refrigerated, up to 1 week; shake before use.
Make the salad: Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a small sheet pan, toss the cubed bread, olive oil, thyme and sea salt together. Spread in a single layer and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until toasted and golden brown.
In a large serving bowl, combine the watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion. Drain any excess liquid before adding the toasted bread cubes and half the basil. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of the dressing and season with salt and pepper. Divide among individual bowls, if you like. Top with crumbled feta, remaining basil leaves and spoon additional dressing over the top.
ROASTED GARLIC HUMMUS
This was in the October 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 34), and begins, "This creamy-zesty dip has more than 40 cloves of garlic in it. Yet, roasting the garlic softens the cloves to a creamy, slightly sweet pulp that doesn’t overwhelm other flavors or give off that typical garlicky aroma."
Makes 3 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-garlic-hummus/.
Ingredients
4-5 heads garlic
1 Tbs. plus 1/4 cup olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
1 28-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 Tbs. tahini
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut tops from garlic heads to reveal tips of garlic cloves. Place garlic heads on large sheet of foil, and drizzle with 1 Tbs. olive oil. Wrap garlic heads tightly in foil, and bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until garlic heads feel soft through foil. Cool in foil.
Purée chickpeas 1 minute in food processor, or until finely chopped. Add lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, tahini, and 1/2 cup water. Blend chickpea mixture 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth.
Squeeze roasted garlic pulp from each clove into chickpea mixture in bowl of food processor. Pulse hummus several times to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in thin layer on large plate, and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with whole-wheat pita wedges.
Monday, March 28, 2022
Meatless Monday
It's Monday, time to get the week started again with another Meatless Monday. Today's offerings include Country Panzanella With Watermelon Dressing and Everyday Buddha Bowl. Enjoy!
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.
Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
EVERYDAY BUDDHA BOWL
This comes from Jenné Claiborne, who runs a cool site, Sweet Potato Soul. If you've never run across her site - and I hadn't, until seeing a link on The Penny Hoarder - I seriously advise you to check out Sweet Potato Soul. You won't regret it.
(You also should check out The Penny Hoarder, too. Lots of good info...)
Anywho, for this recipe, Jenné wrote, "A Buddha bowl is a well balanced vegetable and grain bowl inspired by the principles of the macrobiotic diet. In case you aren’t familiar with it, the macrobiotic diet is a way of eating that recommends a grain and vegetable based diet, and emphasizes the balance of yin and yang in food for greater health. The modern macrobiotic diet has its roots in Japan, and like traditional Japanese cuisine the synergy between the different flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, light, and hot) is important to every meal. I suppose the “Buddha” bowl is a western co-optation of the macrobiotic bowl. I happen to adore it because it is 1.) absolutely delicious, 2.) crazy easy to make throughout the week, 3.) comforting and nourishing, 4.) very healthy, and 5.) pretty."
She also added, "The big key to making this Buddha bowl quickly is cooking your grains, legumes, and veggies ahead of time. I do this about twice a week, so that it only takes me 5 minutes tops to have this delicious bowl. The sauce is really great, so you may want to double my recipe."
She also has a cool ebook titled "5 Ingredient Vegan" for $5.55 that you might want to check out.
Okay, now. For this recipe, prep time: 5 minutes; makes 4 servings. To check this on Jenné's site, go to https://sweetpotatosoul.com/everyday-buddha-bowl/.
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes cubed & roasted
2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 heads broccoli chopped and steamed or roasted
2-3 cups cooked lentils or beans two 14-oz cans
1-2 cups kimchi or sauerkraut
fennel seeds black sesame seeds, and chili flakes
Tahini Miso Sauce
1 tbsp light or yellow miso
1/4 cup tahini
juice from 1/2 a lemon
3-5 tbsp water
dash of cayenne pepper
Instructions
Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl, and stir until smooth and creamy. Add more water to thin if you like.
Place the sweet potatoes, rice, broccoli, lentils/beans, and kimchi in bowls. Top with tahini miso sauce, fennel seeds, black sesame seeds, and chili flakes.
Take a picture and post your photo to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter using #sweetpotatosoul
CINNAMON-MAPLE APPLESAUCE
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Samantha wrote, "Applesauce isn’t just for babies. Sure, this very basic version is perfect for tender palates, but it also works as the base for many a sweet treat. In the fall you might try swapping in 1 1/2 pounds of pears for half of the apples and a bit of caramel in place of the maple. (Omit the maple syrup if serving with savory foods.) In the summer, swap out some of the apples for red plums for a tangy and a beautifully pink variation that’s lovely served over vanilla ice cream. Add a bit of grated ginger and a few plump medjool dates to make a sophisticated purée that would be nice with some whipped cream or even a pork chop. Make extra, as it doubles easily and freezes well, too."
Yield: 3 cups; Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022568-cinnamon-maple-applesauce.
Ingredients
3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 2-inch chunks, both tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Gala and Pink Lady
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more as needed
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Preparation
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine apples, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, maple syrup and cinnamon, cover, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the apples have softened, around 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for another 5 minutes, until any excess liquid cooks off.
For a chunky sauce, use a potato masher to carefully mash the apples. For a smooth sauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse to your desired consistency. If you like a thinner sauce, add up to 1/2 cup of water.
Taste and add a bit more maple syrup as necessary. (It will depend on the combination of apples.) Stir in a pinch of kosher salt.
Tip
To make this applesauce in the Instant Pot, add all the ingredients to the pot, cover, and set the pressure cooker to high. Allow it to come to pressure, let cook for 5 minutes, then immediately release the pressure. Carefully open the lid. Continue with the recipe from Step 2.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
COUNTRY PANZANELLA WITH WATERMELON DRESSING
This comes from Gabrielle E.W. Carter, and is adapted by Nicole Taylor and Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking newsletter. For this recipe, Nicole and Yewande wrote, "Consumed plainly or with a salt sprinkle, fresh watermelon conjures warm-weather memories. In the U.S. (primarily in the American South), master gardeners are growing heirloom (seedful) varieties: sugar baby, jubilee and Georgia rattlesnake. In Apex, N.C., Gabrielle E.W. Carter is the new steward of the property once owned by her maternal great-grandfather, where she grows herbs, tomatoes and watermelon. As a multimedia artist, she is documenting the food ways of Black families in Eastern North Carolina and preserving cooking traditions using fruits and vegetables straight from the garden. Crimson-flesh watermelon transforms the classic panzanella with a balanced sweetness. Using a coarse grater is essential in achieving a vibrant, textured dressing. Bocconcini can be substituted for feta cheese in this salad, which pairs well with festive mains like dry-rub mushrooms and spicy tamarind pork ribs."
Yield: 8 to 10 servings (about 16 cups); Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "Summer’s Greatest Prize: Watermelons, With Seeds, Please", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022283-country-panzanella-with-watermelon-dressing.
Note: The article that this was featured in makes some very interesting reading, especially for anyone who enjoys learning about the history of food. (Yes, there is such as thing!)
Ingredients
For the dressing:
1/2 pound piece of skin-on watermelon, seeds discarded
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Kosher salt
2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
For the salad:
1/2 loaf day-old ciabatta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 loose cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 pounds watermelon, rind discarded cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 packed cups)
3 medium heirloom tomatoes (about 1 3/4 to 2 pounds), cut into 1-inch-wide wedges (about 5 loose cups)
1 medium seedless cucumber (about 1/2 pound), trimmed, halved lengthwise then sliced 1/4-inch-thick (about 2 cups)
1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), peeled and sliced (about 1 loose cup)
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Preparation
Make the dressing: Using a coarse grater set over a medium bowl, grate the watermelon flesh then rind, grating the rind all the way to the skin. (You should have about 1 cup grated watermelon.) Discard the firm skin. Add the sugar and 1 teaspoon salt; stir to dissolve the sugar and salt grains. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes.
Add the garlic, mustard, thyme leaves, red-pepper flakes, ground black pepper, vinegar and oil. Whisk together (or transfer to a mason jar, cover and shake vigorously). The dressing makes 2 cups, and will keep, refrigerated, up to 1 week; shake before use.
Make the salad: Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a small sheet pan, toss the cubed bread, olive oil, thyme and sea salt together. Spread in a single layer and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until toasted and golden brown.
In a large serving bowl, combine the watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion. Drain any excess liquid before adding the toasted bread cubes and half the basil. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of the dressing and season with salt and pepper. Divide among individual bowls, if you like. Top with crumbled feta, remaining basil leaves and spoon additional dressing over the top.
ROASTED GARLIC HUMMUS
This was in the October 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 34), and begins, "This creamy-zesty dip has more than 40 cloves of garlic in it. Yet, roasting the garlic softens the cloves to a creamy, slightly sweet pulp that doesn’t overwhelm other flavors or give off that typical garlicky aroma."
Makes 3 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-garlic-hummus/.
Ingredients
4-5 heads garlic
1 Tbs. plus 1/4 cup olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
1 28-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 Tbs. tahini
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut tops from garlic heads to reveal tips of garlic cloves. Place garlic heads on large sheet of foil, and drizzle with 1 Tbs. olive oil. Wrap garlic heads tightly in foil, and bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until garlic heads feel soft through foil. Cool in foil.
Purée chickpeas 1 minute in food processor, or until finely chopped. Add lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, tahini, and 1/2 cup water. Blend chickpea mixture 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth.
Squeeze roasted garlic pulp from each clove into chickpea mixture in bowl of food processor. Pulse hummus several times to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in thin layer on large plate, and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with whole-wheat pita wedges.
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.
Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
EVERYDAY BUDDHA BOWL
This comes from Jenné Claiborne, who runs a cool site, Sweet Potato Soul. If you've never run across her site - and I hadn't, until seeing a link on The Penny Hoarder - I seriously advise you to check out Sweet Potato Soul. You won't regret it.
(You also should check out The Penny Hoarder, too. Lots of good info...)
Anywho, for this recipe, Jenné wrote, "A Buddha bowl is a well balanced vegetable and grain bowl inspired by the principles of the macrobiotic diet. In case you aren’t familiar with it, the macrobiotic diet is a way of eating that recommends a grain and vegetable based diet, and emphasizes the balance of yin and yang in food for greater health. The modern macrobiotic diet has its roots in Japan, and like traditional Japanese cuisine the synergy between the different flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, light, and hot) is important to every meal. I suppose the “Buddha” bowl is a western co-optation of the macrobiotic bowl. I happen to adore it because it is 1.) absolutely delicious, 2.) crazy easy to make throughout the week, 3.) comforting and nourishing, 4.) very healthy, and 5.) pretty."
She also added, "The big key to making this Buddha bowl quickly is cooking your grains, legumes, and veggies ahead of time. I do this about twice a week, so that it only takes me 5 minutes tops to have this delicious bowl. The sauce is really great, so you may want to double my recipe."
She also has a cool ebook titled "5 Ingredient Vegan" for $5.55 that you might want to check out.
Okay, now. For this recipe, prep time: 5 minutes; makes 4 servings. To check this on Jenné's site, go to https://sweetpotatosoul.com/everyday-buddha-bowl/.
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes cubed & roasted
2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 heads broccoli chopped and steamed or roasted
2-3 cups cooked lentils or beans two 14-oz cans
1-2 cups kimchi or sauerkraut
fennel seeds black sesame seeds, and chili flakes
Tahini Miso Sauce
1 tbsp light or yellow miso
1/4 cup tahini
juice from 1/2 a lemon
3-5 tbsp water
dash of cayenne pepper
Instructions
Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl, and stir until smooth and creamy. Add more water to thin if you like.
Place the sweet potatoes, rice, broccoli, lentils/beans, and kimchi in bowls. Top with tahini miso sauce, fennel seeds, black sesame seeds, and chili flakes.
Take a picture and post your photo to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter using #sweetpotatosoul
CINNAMON-MAPLE APPLESAUCE
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Samantha wrote, "Applesauce isn’t just for babies. Sure, this very basic version is perfect for tender palates, but it also works as the base for many a sweet treat. In the fall you might try swapping in 1 1/2 pounds of pears for half of the apples and a bit of caramel in place of the maple. (Omit the maple syrup if serving with savory foods.) In the summer, swap out some of the apples for red plums for a tangy and a beautifully pink variation that’s lovely served over vanilla ice cream. Add a bit of grated ginger and a few plump medjool dates to make a sophisticated purée that would be nice with some whipped cream or even a pork chop. Make extra, as it doubles easily and freezes well, too."
Yield: 3 cups; Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022568-cinnamon-maple-applesauce.
Ingredients
3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 2-inch chunks, both tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Gala and Pink Lady
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more as needed
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Preparation
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine apples, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, maple syrup and cinnamon, cover, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the apples have softened, around 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for another 5 minutes, until any excess liquid cooks off.
For a chunky sauce, use a potato masher to carefully mash the apples. For a smooth sauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse to your desired consistency. If you like a thinner sauce, add up to 1/2 cup of water.
Taste and add a bit more maple syrup as necessary. (It will depend on the combination of apples.) Stir in a pinch of kosher salt.
Tip
To make this applesauce in the Instant Pot, add all the ingredients to the pot, cover, and set the pressure cooker to high. Allow it to come to pressure, let cook for 5 minutes, then immediately release the pressure. Carefully open the lid. Continue with the recipe from Step 2.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This was from a Weight Watchers email at least ten years ago. Each serving is about 1 cup.
Ingredients
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Directions
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
COUNTRY PANZANELLA WITH WATERMELON DRESSING
This comes from Gabrielle E.W. Carter, and is adapted by Nicole Taylor and Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking newsletter. For this recipe, Nicole and Yewande wrote, "Consumed plainly or with a salt sprinkle, fresh watermelon conjures warm-weather memories. In the U.S. (primarily in the American South), master gardeners are growing heirloom (seedful) varieties: sugar baby, jubilee and Georgia rattlesnake. In Apex, N.C., Gabrielle E.W. Carter is the new steward of the property once owned by her maternal great-grandfather, where she grows herbs, tomatoes and watermelon. As a multimedia artist, she is documenting the food ways of Black families in Eastern North Carolina and preserving cooking traditions using fruits and vegetables straight from the garden. Crimson-flesh watermelon transforms the classic panzanella with a balanced sweetness. Using a coarse grater is essential in achieving a vibrant, textured dressing. Bocconcini can be substituted for feta cheese in this salad, which pairs well with festive mains like dry-rub mushrooms and spicy tamarind pork ribs."
Yield: 8 to 10 servings (about 16 cups); Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "Summer’s Greatest Prize: Watermelons, With Seeds, Please", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022283-country-panzanella-with-watermelon-dressing.
Note: The article that this was featured in makes some very interesting reading, especially for anyone who enjoys learning about the history of food. (Yes, there is such as thing!)
Ingredients
For the dressing:
1/2 pound piece of skin-on watermelon, seeds discarded
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Kosher salt
2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
For the salad:
1/2 loaf day-old ciabatta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 loose cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 pounds watermelon, rind discarded cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 packed cups)
3 medium heirloom tomatoes (about 1 3/4 to 2 pounds), cut into 1-inch-wide wedges (about 5 loose cups)
1 medium seedless cucumber (about 1/2 pound), trimmed, halved lengthwise then sliced 1/4-inch-thick (about 2 cups)
1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), peeled and sliced (about 1 loose cup)
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Preparation
Make the dressing: Using a coarse grater set over a medium bowl, grate the watermelon flesh then rind, grating the rind all the way to the skin. (You should have about 1 cup grated watermelon.) Discard the firm skin. Add the sugar and 1 teaspoon salt; stir to dissolve the sugar and salt grains. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes.
Add the garlic, mustard, thyme leaves, red-pepper flakes, ground black pepper, vinegar and oil. Whisk together (or transfer to a mason jar, cover and shake vigorously). The dressing makes 2 cups, and will keep, refrigerated, up to 1 week; shake before use.
Make the salad: Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a small sheet pan, toss the cubed bread, olive oil, thyme and sea salt together. Spread in a single layer and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until toasted and golden brown.
In a large serving bowl, combine the watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion. Drain any excess liquid before adding the toasted bread cubes and half the basil. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of the dressing and season with salt and pepper. Divide among individual bowls, if you like. Top with crumbled feta, remaining basil leaves and spoon additional dressing over the top.
ROASTED GARLIC HUMMUS
This was in the October 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 34), and begins, "This creamy-zesty dip has more than 40 cloves of garlic in it. Yet, roasting the garlic softens the cloves to a creamy, slightly sweet pulp that doesn’t overwhelm other flavors or give off that typical garlicky aroma."
Makes 3 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/roasted-garlic-hummus/.
Ingredients
4-5 heads garlic
1 Tbs. plus 1/4 cup olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
1 28-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 Tbs. tahini
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut tops from garlic heads to reveal tips of garlic cloves. Place garlic heads on large sheet of foil, and drizzle with 1 Tbs. olive oil. Wrap garlic heads tightly in foil, and bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until garlic heads feel soft through foil. Cool in foil.
Purée chickpeas 1 minute in food processor, or until finely chopped. Add lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, tahini, and 1/2 cup water. Blend chickpea mixture 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth.
Squeeze roasted garlic pulp from each clove into chickpea mixture in bowl of food processor. Pulse hummus several times to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in thin layer on large plate, and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with whole-wheat pita wedges.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Soup's On!
Yes, believe your eyes: It's a double post today! Both Diabetic Thursday and six soup recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!
SWEET POTATO, CARAMELIZED ONION, AND APPLE CIDER SOUP
This yummy soup comes from Soup for Every Body by Joanna Pruess w/Lauren Braun via Publix’s GreenWise magazine (December 2005). 1 1/2 hours prep time (includes baking time); Serves 4-6
1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes (or yams)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 C fresh apple cider
1 Tbsp unsulphured molasses plus 3 Tbsp water
2 C chicken or vegetable stock
salt and white pepper
2 Tbsp finely chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1 Tbsp finely shredded fresh sage leaves
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake sweet potatoes until tender, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool, then peel. While potatoes are baking, heat butter or oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and adjust head to medium. Sauté until golden brown and very tender, about 20-25 minutes, stirring often.
Transfer onions, sweet potatoes, and apple cider to food processor. Puree until smooth.
Return puree to pan and stir in molasses and water. Add stock to the puree and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ladle soup into heated bowls. Sprinkle a small amount of chopped walnuts and shredded sage leaves in center of each bowl and serve.
Per serving: 326 calories; 4 g protein; 59 g carbohydrates; 7 g fiber; 9 g total fat (4 g sta., 2 g mono, 2 g poly); 346 mg sodium; Vitamin A, B6, Manganese, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), C, E, Pantothenic acid, Copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This came in a Weight Watchers’ email several years ago, with a points value of 0. I have no idea what the points value would be now, nor do I have a link to it.
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve. Yields about 1 C/serving.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
GULLA SUPPER SOUP
This comes from the Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra & Corn cans.
Years ago, my better-half had changed pharmacies to one in a local Publix. At the time, the Publix we normally went to didn't have a pharmacy (it does now), so we went to another one that had a pharmacy. Of course, since it was laid out a little differently, so we had to look around to find what we'd planned to buy.
It was while exploring this new (to us) Publix that I stumbled across cans of Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra & Corn. I wasn't familiar with the Margaret Holmes brand, but the word “okra” jumped out at me. My better-half had spent most of his life in the south (as he liked to tell people, “It took me six months to crawl from Detroit to Florida.”), and absolutely loved okra, as well as many other southern foods that I'd never really tried.
So, of course, I had to pick up a couple of cans of this, as well as the other ingredients to make this. It soon became an absolute favorite in our house. We tended to double the recipe. Give this a try – if you're like us, you won't regret it!
2 cans Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra and Corn
1/2 stick butter
1 medium onion, peeled & chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 C green cabbage, chopped
1/2 C green pepper, seeded & chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Big pinch fresh thyme
Big pinch chopped parsley
1/2 C cooked rice
Melt butter in medium saucepan, add onions, celery, cabbage & green pep-per. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium high heat until vegetables are softened. Add tomatoes & juice; cook for about 10 more minutes.
Stir in seasonings & cooked rice. Bring back to simmer & cook for 5 more minutes. Serve hot.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This recipe came from a Weight Watchers’ email several years ago. It begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold days. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.” Points: 2 (not sure what the current points value is); Servings: 8
1 large onion(s), cut into large chunks
4 large carrot(s), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnip(s), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cup winter squash, such as butternut, peeled and cubed
2 sprays cooking spray
3 cup fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in large pot. Add broth & milk; season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, & blend until smooth. (Puree soup in batches if necessary to prevent hot liquid from splattering. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1-1/2 cups per serving.
Note: You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
CURRIED CAULIFLOWER SOUP
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-mail. Martha wrote, “It will take you only about 10 minutes to prep the ingredients for this comforting soup. Curry flavors and cauliflower always make a good match.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in “Vegetable Soups, Smooth and Hearty” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons cumin seeds, ground
2 pounds cauliflower (1 medium head), roughly chopped
1 russet potato, peeled and diced, or 1/2 cup rice
2 quarts water, vegetable stock or chicken stock
Salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper
Chopped cilantro for garnish
Preparation
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, curry powder and ground cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the cauliflower, potato or rice, water or stock, and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
Using an immersion blender, purée the soup (or you can use a regular blender, working in batches and placing a kitchen towel over the top to avoid splashing) until it is very smooth. Return to the pot, heat through, add freshly ground pepper and adjust salt. Serve, garnishing each bowl with chopped cilantro.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make this a day ahead, but you may have to thin it out with a little water or stock when you reheat.
CURRIED CAULIFLOWER SOUP
This recipe is from the January 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “This soup's secret ingredient—an apple—lends a touch of tangy sweetness that complements the curry’s spice. Letting the soup cool 20 minutes before blending helps deepen the flavors.” Serves 6.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/curried-cauliflower-soup/.
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbs. curry powder
1 clove garlic, sliced (1 tsp.)
1 large head cauliflower, chopped into 1-inch pieces (6 cups)
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. honey or agave nectar
1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until soft and golden. Stir in apple, curry powder, and garlic, and cook 2 minutes more, or until curry powder turns deep yellow.Add cauliflower and vegetable broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Cool 20 minutes, then blend in food processor or blender until smooth. Stir in honey and vinegar, and season with salt, if desired.
nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 104; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 304 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 8 g; Gluten-Free
SWEET POTATO, CARAMELIZED ONION, AND APPLE CIDER SOUP
This yummy soup comes from Soup for Every Body by Joanna Pruess w/Lauren Braun via Publix’s GreenWise magazine (December 2005). 1 1/2 hours prep time (includes baking time); Serves 4-6
1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes (or yams)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 C fresh apple cider
1 Tbsp unsulphured molasses plus 3 Tbsp water
2 C chicken or vegetable stock
salt and white pepper
2 Tbsp finely chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1 Tbsp finely shredded fresh sage leaves
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake sweet potatoes until tender, about 1 hour. Set aside to cool, then peel. While potatoes are baking, heat butter or oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and adjust head to medium. Sauté until golden brown and very tender, about 20-25 minutes, stirring often.
Transfer onions, sweet potatoes, and apple cider to food processor. Puree until smooth.
Return puree to pan and stir in molasses and water. Add stock to the puree and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ladle soup into heated bowls. Sprinkle a small amount of chopped walnuts and shredded sage leaves in center of each bowl and serve.
Per serving: 326 calories; 4 g protein; 59 g carbohydrates; 7 g fiber; 9 g total fat (4 g sta., 2 g mono, 2 g poly); 346 mg sodium; Vitamin A, B6, Manganese, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), C, E, Pantothenic acid, Copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This came in a Weight Watchers’ email several years ago, with a points value of 0. I have no idea what the points value would be now, nor do I have a link to it.
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve. Yields about 1 C/serving.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
GULLA SUPPER SOUP
This comes from the Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra & Corn cans.
Years ago, my better-half had changed pharmacies to one in a local Publix. At the time, the Publix we normally went to didn't have a pharmacy (it does now), so we went to another one that had a pharmacy. Of course, since it was laid out a little differently, so we had to look around to find what we'd planned to buy.
It was while exploring this new (to us) Publix that I stumbled across cans of Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra & Corn. I wasn't familiar with the Margaret Holmes brand, but the word “okra” jumped out at me. My better-half had spent most of his life in the south (as he liked to tell people, “It took me six months to crawl from Detroit to Florida.”), and absolutely loved okra, as well as many other southern foods that I'd never really tried.
So, of course, I had to pick up a couple of cans of this, as well as the other ingredients to make this. It soon became an absolute favorite in our house. We tended to double the recipe. Give this a try – if you're like us, you won't regret it!
2 cans Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra and Corn
1/2 stick butter
1 medium onion, peeled & chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 C green cabbage, chopped
1/2 C green pepper, seeded & chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Big pinch fresh thyme
Big pinch chopped parsley
1/2 C cooked rice
Melt butter in medium saucepan, add onions, celery, cabbage & green pep-per. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium high heat until vegetables are softened. Add tomatoes & juice; cook for about 10 more minutes.
Stir in seasonings & cooked rice. Bring back to simmer & cook for 5 more minutes. Serve hot.
ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP
This recipe came from a Weight Watchers’ email several years ago. It begins, “This warm, comforting soup will stick to your ribs on cold days. Roasting the vegetables helps bring out their natural sweetness.” Points: 2 (not sure what the current points value is); Servings: 8
1 large onion(s), cut into large chunks
4 large carrot(s), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium parsnip(s), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cup winter squash, such as butternut, peeled and cubed
2 sprays cooking spray
3 cup fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Preheat oven to 400ºF. In large roasting pan combine onion, carrots, parsnips and squash; coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15 minutes.
Place vegetables in large pot. Add broth & milk; season to taste. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Transfer mixture to blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender in pot, & blend until smooth. (Puree soup in batches if necessary to prevent hot liquid from splattering. Or allow soup to cool before pureeing.) Yields about 1-1/2 cups per serving.
Note: You can add more water or broth to the pureed soup to achieve desired thickness.
CURRIED CAULIFLOWER SOUP
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-mail. Martha wrote, “It will take you only about 10 minutes to prep the ingredients for this comforting soup. Curry flavors and cauliflower always make a good match.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in “Vegetable Soups, Smooth and Hearty” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons cumin seeds, ground
2 pounds cauliflower (1 medium head), roughly chopped
1 russet potato, peeled and diced, or 1/2 cup rice
2 quarts water, vegetable stock or chicken stock
Salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper
Chopped cilantro for garnish
Preparation
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, curry powder and ground cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the cauliflower, potato or rice, water or stock, and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
Using an immersion blender, purée the soup (or you can use a regular blender, working in batches and placing a kitchen towel over the top to avoid splashing) until it is very smooth. Return to the pot, heat through, add freshly ground pepper and adjust salt. Serve, garnishing each bowl with chopped cilantro.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make this a day ahead, but you may have to thin it out with a little water or stock when you reheat.
CURRIED CAULIFLOWER SOUP
This recipe is from the January 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “This soup's secret ingredient—an apple—lends a touch of tangy sweetness that complements the curry’s spice. Letting the soup cool 20 minutes before blending helps deepen the flavors.” Serves 6.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/curried-cauliflower-soup/.
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbs. curry powder
1 clove garlic, sliced (1 tsp.)
1 large head cauliflower, chopped into 1-inch pieces (6 cups)
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. honey or agave nectar
1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until soft and golden. Stir in apple, curry powder, and garlic, and cook 2 minutes more, or until curry powder turns deep yellow.Add cauliflower and vegetable broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Cool 20 minutes, then blend in food processor or blender until smooth. Stir in honey and vinegar, and season with salt, if desired.
nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 104; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 304 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 8 g; Gluten-Free
Friday, January 13, 2017
Friday Recipes
It's Friday of a three-day weekend. (Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.) And while many people have the day off, I'll be posting here.
By the way, next week there'll be a slight change in this blog. Mondays will still be Meatless Monday, and I'll still be posting diabetic recipes on Thursdays. But on Tuesdays...I'll be posting Taco Tuesday recipes. It's been fairly well received on my vegetarian blog, so I figured I'd try it here. We'll see how well it goes.
And now, for today's six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!
LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE
This yummy cake is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking email. Melissa wrote, “This light and moist lemon poundcake has a crunchy sugar glaze that crystallizes on top, giving a contrasting texture to the soft crumb underneath. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing cake that’s excellent on its own but takes well to embellishments. A scoop of ice cream or sorbet, fruit compote and-or lemon curd are all wonderful alongside.” Yield: 24 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus cooling.
This was featured in “’The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Finely grated zest and juice of 2 1/2 lemons
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup whole milk
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease a 9-by-12-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, allowing a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together butter and half of the sugar (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary (mixture will look curdled, and that’s O.K.). Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared baking pan, smoothing the top.
Bake until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then use the paper overhang to lift the cake out of the pan; transfer to wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and carefully remove paper.
While cake bakes, in a small bowl mix together remaining half of the sugar (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) and enough lemon juice to make a runny mixture. While cake is still warm, spoon the sugar mixture evenly over the top. (The cake has to be cooled slightly to prevent topping from melting, but warm enough that it soaks into the cake, leaving a crunchy sugar coat on top.) Let cool, then cut into squares.
WILD MUSHROOM QUESADILLAS
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always been a little leery about going out picking wild mushrooms. I wasn’t wild about mushrooms as a kid, but I’ve grown to just about like them. But wild mushrooms? Nah-ah, no thanks. I’ve heard too many horror stories…
That said, this comes from Kim Severson, also in The New York Times cooking email. Kim wrote, “You don't have to use wild mushrooms, of course, but if you can get chanterelles — oh man. It takes a bit of time at the stove, but when the quesadilla is done, you have a great handheld food that is, among other things, very kid friendly.” Phew! Thank you, Kim, for adding that disclaimer about not having to use wild mushrooms!!!
This recipe yields 8 servings (Time: 30 minutes) and was featured in “THE CHEF: TRACI DES JARDINS; Tortillas Let a Cook Come Home Again”. It can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound chanterelles, black trumpet or other wild mushrooms (or substitute oyster, crimini or clamshell mushrooms; do not use shiitake), roughly chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup minced yellow onion
4 ounces grated Oaxaca or domestic Muenster cheese
4 ounces grated panela or aged mozzarella cheese
4 ounces grated cotija or Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of ground coriander
8 8-inch flour or corn tortillas, preferably homemade (recipe follows)
Preparation
Place a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. When oil shimmers, add mushrooms and a generous pinch of salt. Sauté until mushrooms release their liquid, liquid evaporates and mushrooms begin to brown, about 10 minutes.
Add onions. Sauté, adjusting heat as necessary, until onions are soft and entire mixture is golden brown but not burned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Using a food processor or a knife, finely chop mushroom-onion mixture, then transfer to a large bowl. Add grated cheeses, cilantro, oregano and coriander. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Place a large nonstick or well-seasoned skillet over medium heat, and add remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. While pan heats, place a large spoonful of mushroom-cheese mixture into center of a tortilla, and fold tortilla in half to make a half-moon. Place filled tortilla in preheated skillet and cook, turning once, until tortilla is nicely browned on both sides and cheese is melted. Repeat to make 8 filled tortillas. Serve immediately.
GRANDMA SALAZAR’S TORTILLAS
This also comes from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking email. Kim wrote, “This recipe for flour tortillas came to The Times in 2005 from Traci Des Jardins, a San Francisco chef whose heritage is Cajun on one side and Mexican on the other, via her maternal grandmother, Angela Salazar. You’ll see ‘bacon drippings’ in the ingredients. These make for really delicious tortillas.” Makes 12 8-inch tortillas.
This was featured in “THE CHEF: TRACI DES JARDINS; Tortillas Let a Cook Come Home Again” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons bacon drippings, lard or vegetable shortening
Preparation
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add bacon drippings and mix by hand or with a pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly. Slowly mix in 1 cup cold water. Add just enough additional water (about 1/3 cup) to make a smooth, slightly sticky dough.
Divide dough into 12 balls of equal size. Place on a board or baking sheet and cover with a kitchen towel; allow to rest for at least 20 minutes or up to an hour.
On a lightly floured surface, roll tortillas into 8-inch rounds. Place between sheets of waxed paper. At this point dough may be covered and refrigerated until cooking time, or used immediately.
Heat a griddle over medium heat. Remove tortillas from waxed paper and cook one at a time until puffy and slightly brown, about 30 seconds a side. Wrap in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm until serving.
KFC’S COLESLAW
Okay, I admit it: I love KFC’s Coleslaw. When I drove cab for a living, I used to pick up some of their coleslaw probably once a week.
This copycat recipe comes from Recipe Lion; it was one of the recipes in their e-cookbook, titled “24 New Top Secret Restaurant Copycat Recipes.” The site has quite a few free e-cookbooks to check out. Please feel free to do so!
This recipe begins, “KFC copycat recipes are always delicious, and this one is an all-time favorite. When you're preparing for your next picnic or potluck with friends, consider this easy coleslaw recipe. It's always a crowd pleaser any time it's served and it couldn't be any easier to make.”
Ingredients
8 1/8 cups cabbage
1/3 cup carrots, shredded
1 teaspoon onion, chopped fine
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/8 cup milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Core the cabbage, then shred using the slicing disk for the shredder attachment to the food processor.
Shred the carrot the same way or use pre-shredded carrots.
Mix together cabbage, carrot and onion.
In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, milk, and lemon juice with a whisk until well combined.
Add the salt and pepper.
Add the sugar to the sauce until well mixed in.
Add the sauce to the cabbage and carrot mixture. Mix well and allow the mixture to marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight. Mix thoroughly before serving.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This came in a Weight Watchers’ email several years ago, with a points value of 0. I have no idea what the points value would be now, nor do I have a link to it.
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve. Yields about 1 C/serving.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
GULLA SUPPER SOUP
This comes from the Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra & Corn cans.
Years ago, my better-half had changed pharmacies to one in a local Publix. At the time, the Publix we normally went to didn't have a pharmacy (it does now), so we went to another one that had a pharmacy. Of course, since it was laid out a little differently, so we had to look around to find what we'd planned to buy.
It was while exploring this new (to us) Publix that I stumbled across cans of Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra & Corn. I wasn't familiar with the Margaret Holmes brand, but the word “okra” jumped out at me. My better-half had spent most of his life in the south (as he liked to tell people, “It took me six months to crawl from Detroit to Florida.”), and absolutely loved okra, as well as many other southern foods that I'd never really tried.
So, of course, I had to pick up a couple of cans of this, as well as the other ingredients to make this. It soon became an absolute favorite in our house. We tended to double the recipe. Give this a try – if you're like us, you won't regret it!
2 cans Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra and Corn
1/2 stick butter
1 medium onion, peeled & chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 C green cabbage, chopped
1/2 C green pepper, seeded & chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Big pinch fresh thyme
Big pinch chopped parsley
1/2 C cooked rice
Melt butter in medium saucepan, add onions, celery, cabbage & green pep-per. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium high heat until vegetables are softened. Add tomatoes & juice; cook for about 10 more minutes.
Stir in seasonings & cooked rice. Bring back to simmer & cook for 5 more minutes. Serve hot.
By the way, next week there'll be a slight change in this blog. Mondays will still be Meatless Monday, and I'll still be posting diabetic recipes on Thursdays. But on Tuesdays...I'll be posting Taco Tuesday recipes. It's been fairly well received on my vegetarian blog, so I figured I'd try it here. We'll see how well it goes.
And now, for today's six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!
LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE
This yummy cake is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking email. Melissa wrote, “This light and moist lemon poundcake has a crunchy sugar glaze that crystallizes on top, giving a contrasting texture to the soft crumb underneath. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing cake that’s excellent on its own but takes well to embellishments. A scoop of ice cream or sorbet, fruit compote and-or lemon curd are all wonderful alongside.” Yield: 24 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus cooling.
This was featured in “’The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened, more for greasing pan
2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Finely grated zest and juice of 2 1/2 lemons
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup whole milk
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees and place a rack in the center. Grease a 9-by-12-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, allowing a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together butter and half of the sugar (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then beat in milk, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary (mixture will look curdled, and that’s O.K.). Mix in flour mixture until combined, then scrape into prepared baking pan, smoothing the top.
Bake until golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then use the paper overhang to lift the cake out of the pan; transfer to wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and carefully remove paper.
While cake bakes, in a small bowl mix together remaining half of the sugar (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) and enough lemon juice to make a runny mixture. While cake is still warm, spoon the sugar mixture evenly over the top. (The cake has to be cooled slightly to prevent topping from melting, but warm enough that it soaks into the cake, leaving a crunchy sugar coat on top.) Let cool, then cut into squares.
WILD MUSHROOM QUESADILLAS
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always been a little leery about going out picking wild mushrooms. I wasn’t wild about mushrooms as a kid, but I’ve grown to just about like them. But wild mushrooms? Nah-ah, no thanks. I’ve heard too many horror stories…
That said, this comes from Kim Severson, also in The New York Times cooking email. Kim wrote, “You don't have to use wild mushrooms, of course, but if you can get chanterelles — oh man. It takes a bit of time at the stove, but when the quesadilla is done, you have a great handheld food that is, among other things, very kid friendly.” Phew! Thank you, Kim, for adding that disclaimer about not having to use wild mushrooms!!!
This recipe yields 8 servings (Time: 30 minutes) and was featured in “THE CHEF: TRACI DES JARDINS; Tortillas Let a Cook Come Home Again”. It can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound chanterelles, black trumpet or other wild mushrooms (or substitute oyster, crimini or clamshell mushrooms; do not use shiitake), roughly chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup minced yellow onion
4 ounces grated Oaxaca or domestic Muenster cheese
4 ounces grated panela or aged mozzarella cheese
4 ounces grated cotija or Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of ground coriander
8 8-inch flour or corn tortillas, preferably homemade (recipe follows)
Preparation
Place a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. When oil shimmers, add mushrooms and a generous pinch of salt. Sauté until mushrooms release their liquid, liquid evaporates and mushrooms begin to brown, about 10 minutes.
Add onions. Sauté, adjusting heat as necessary, until onions are soft and entire mixture is golden brown but not burned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Using a food processor or a knife, finely chop mushroom-onion mixture, then transfer to a large bowl. Add grated cheeses, cilantro, oregano and coriander. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Place a large nonstick or well-seasoned skillet over medium heat, and add remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. While pan heats, place a large spoonful of mushroom-cheese mixture into center of a tortilla, and fold tortilla in half to make a half-moon. Place filled tortilla in preheated skillet and cook, turning once, until tortilla is nicely browned on both sides and cheese is melted. Repeat to make 8 filled tortillas. Serve immediately.
GRANDMA SALAZAR’S TORTILLAS
This also comes from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking email. Kim wrote, “This recipe for flour tortillas came to The Times in 2005 from Traci Des Jardins, a San Francisco chef whose heritage is Cajun on one side and Mexican on the other, via her maternal grandmother, Angela Salazar. You’ll see ‘bacon drippings’ in the ingredients. These make for really delicious tortillas.” Makes 12 8-inch tortillas.
This was featured in “THE CHEF: TRACI DES JARDINS; Tortillas Let a Cook Come Home Again” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons bacon drippings, lard or vegetable shortening
Preparation
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add bacon drippings and mix by hand or with a pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly. Slowly mix in 1 cup cold water. Add just enough additional water (about 1/3 cup) to make a smooth, slightly sticky dough.
Divide dough into 12 balls of equal size. Place on a board or baking sheet and cover with a kitchen towel; allow to rest for at least 20 minutes or up to an hour.
On a lightly floured surface, roll tortillas into 8-inch rounds. Place between sheets of waxed paper. At this point dough may be covered and refrigerated until cooking time, or used immediately.
Heat a griddle over medium heat. Remove tortillas from waxed paper and cook one at a time until puffy and slightly brown, about 30 seconds a side. Wrap in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm until serving.
KFC’S COLESLAW
Okay, I admit it: I love KFC’s Coleslaw. When I drove cab for a living, I used to pick up some of their coleslaw probably once a week.
This copycat recipe comes from Recipe Lion; it was one of the recipes in their e-cookbook, titled “24 New Top Secret Restaurant Copycat Recipes.” The site has quite a few free e-cookbooks to check out. Please feel free to do so!
This recipe begins, “KFC copycat recipes are always delicious, and this one is an all-time favorite. When you're preparing for your next picnic or potluck with friends, consider this easy coleslaw recipe. It's always a crowd pleaser any time it's served and it couldn't be any easier to make.”
Ingredients
8 1/8 cups cabbage
1/3 cup carrots, shredded
1 teaspoon onion, chopped fine
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/8 cup milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Core the cabbage, then shred using the slicing disk for the shredder attachment to the food processor.
Shred the carrot the same way or use pre-shredded carrots.
Mix together cabbage, carrot and onion.
In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, milk, and lemon juice with a whisk until well combined.
Add the salt and pepper.
Add the sugar to the sauce until well mixed in.
Add the sauce to the cabbage and carrot mixture. Mix well and allow the mixture to marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight. Mix thoroughly before serving.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SLOW-COOKER SOUP
This came in a Weight Watchers’ email several years ago, with a points value of 0. I have no idea what the points value would be now, nor do I have a link to it.
10 oz baby spinach leaves
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
4 C vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
Place all ingredients in slow cooker; cover & cook on high for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir, & serve. Yields about 1 C/serving.
Note: If you need the soup fast, simply add prepped ingredients in a large pot on stovetop. Bring to boil & then reduce heat to low; simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
GULLA SUPPER SOUP
This comes from the Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra & Corn cans.
Years ago, my better-half had changed pharmacies to one in a local Publix. At the time, the Publix we normally went to didn't have a pharmacy (it does now), so we went to another one that had a pharmacy. Of course, since it was laid out a little differently, so we had to look around to find what we'd planned to buy.
It was while exploring this new (to us) Publix that I stumbled across cans of Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra & Corn. I wasn't familiar with the Margaret Holmes brand, but the word “okra” jumped out at me. My better-half had spent most of his life in the south (as he liked to tell people, “It took me six months to crawl from Detroit to Florida.”), and absolutely loved okra, as well as many other southern foods that I'd never really tried.
So, of course, I had to pick up a couple of cans of this, as well as the other ingredients to make this. It soon became an absolute favorite in our house. We tended to double the recipe. Give this a try – if you're like us, you won't regret it!
2 cans Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra and Corn
1/2 stick butter
1 medium onion, peeled & chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 C green cabbage, chopped
1/2 C green pepper, seeded & chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Big pinch fresh thyme
Big pinch chopped parsley
1/2 C cooked rice
Melt butter in medium saucepan, add onions, celery, cabbage & green pep-per. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium high heat until vegetables are softened. Add tomatoes & juice; cook for about 10 more minutes.
Stir in seasonings & cooked rice. Bring back to simmer & cook for 5 more minutes. Serve hot.
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