Enjoy!
ALL-IN-ONE CHOCOLATE CAKE
This comes from Nigella Lawson, from the same The New York Times' cooking newsletter. If you haven't signed up for their newsletter, I highly recommend it. Nigella writes, “This is the perfect chocolate cake: beautiful, melting, intense but not heavy. The batter comes together quickly in a food processor, and the cake bakes at 350 degrees for a while, giving the baker time to assemble the frosting, which is given a luscious sheen by a bit of corn syrup. Use the best chocolate you can find for the frosting, and gild it however you like: with a few flowers, some birthday candles or nothing at all.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 10 to 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
Butter for greasing baking pans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
For the Frosting:
6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
3 ounces ( 3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
Preparation
For cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.
Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.
For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.
Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side down on plate.
Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully remove paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.
SOFT FROSTED BROWN SUGAR SPICE COOKIES
This comes from The Baker Chick. If you haven't signed up for her e-newsletter, I highly recommend doing so!
This recipe yields 3 dozen cookies and can be found online by clicking here.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 and 2/3 cup unsalted butter- softened
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of cloves
For the Frosting:
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened (3/4 cup)
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
cinnamon & nutmeg for sprinkling
Instructions
For the Cookies:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prep cookie sheets with parchment or a Sil-pat. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, and sugars. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices, and stir into the creamed mixture until dough comes together. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and place them on the cookie sheet 2- inches apart. Gently press the dough balls with your finger tips just slightly.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Allow to cool on a wire rack and repeat with the rest of the dough.
For the Frosting:
Cream together the butter and brown sugar on high until smooth, creamy, and airy. Add the powdered sugar- a little at a time and mix until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and continue to beat until whipped and creamy.
Use an off-set spatula or spoon to frost the cooled cookies. Sprinkle with spices.
SPINACH CHEESE MANICOTTI
This comes from Food.com, and was posted by Weekend Cookier. He wrote, “Came across this today in my local newspaper; it looks real good.” Total Time: 1 hour; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 to 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1
onion, minced
2
teaspoons minced garlic
2
tablespoons oil
1
15 ounce carton ricotta cheese
1
3 ounce package softened cream cheese
1
8 ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1
3 ounce package grated parmesan cheese, divided
2
teaspoons Italian seasoning
1⁄4
teaspoon salt
1⁄2
teaspoon black pepper
1
10 ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed, and drained
9
manicotti, cooked, drained on wax paper
1
26 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
Directions
In a skillet, saute onion and garlicin oil and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, half the mozzarella, half the parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and beat until well mixed.
Drain spinach with several paper towels and squeeze until spinach is well drained.
Add spinach and onion to cheese mixture and mix well.
Spoon this mixture into manicotti shells, using 1 teaspoon at a time. Be careful not to tear shells.
Pour half of spaghetti sauce in bottom of 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange shells over the sauce and top with remaining sauce.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, uncover and sprinkle remaining cheeses over top. Return to oven until cheese melts.
BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP
This comes from Ree Drummond, star of The Food Network's The Pioneer Woman. Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 10 servings; Level: Easy.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/broccoli-cheese-soup-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
4 heads broccoli, cut into 1-inch florets
Olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
1 whole onion, diced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
2 cups half-and-half
Pinch nutmeg
3 cups grated cheese (mild Cheddar, sharp Cheddar, Jack, etc.), plus more for garnish, optional
1 cup chicken broth, optional
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Remove 2 cups of the broccoli florets, cut in half, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet cut-side down and bake until the florets begin to crisp and turn slightly brown, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour on top. Stir to combine and cook until the flour is absorbed and smells lightly toasted, 1 minute or so. Add the milk and half-and half. Add the nutmeg, then the broccoli, a small dash of salt and plenty of black pepper. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the broccoli is tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in the cheese and allow to melt.
Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup as is, mash with a potato masher to break up the broccoli a bit, or transfer to a blender in two batches and puree completely. (If you puree in a blender, return the soup to the heat to heat back up. Splash in some chicken broth if needed for thinning.) Garnish with the toasted broccoli or grated cheese and serve.
BERRY CHERRY CUSTARD PIE
This comes from The Baker Chick. If you haven't signed up for her email newsletter yet, I highly recommend doing so. Really good stuff! This recipe yields 1 9-inch pie.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 9-inch unbaked pie crust (recipe follows)
4 cups of mixed berries/cherries. (I did 1 1/2 cups cherries, 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries and 1 cup blueberries.)
3 large eggs
2/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup heavy cream
zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Roll out the pie crust, and trim/crimp to fit a 9 inch pie dish.
Fill the un-baked crust with the fresh berries/cherries.
Whisk together the eggs, sugar, flour, cream and lemon zest. Pour the custard over the berries.
Bake until custard is set, about 50-60 minutes. Let cool completely and then chill thoroughly or overnight. Serve cold.
PERFECT PIE CRUST
yield: 2-9 inch single pie crusts or 1 double or lattice-topped crust
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 sticks unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1/4-1/2 cups ice water
Instructions
Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor, and process for a few seconds to combine.
Add the butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds.
With the machine running, add the ice water in a slow, steady stream, through the feed tube, just until the dough holds together. Do not process for more than 30 seconds.
Turn the dough out onto a work surface. Divide in two. Place each half on a sheet of plastic wrap.
Flatten, and form two discs. Wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour before using.
MEATBALL SUBS
This comes from Rachael Ray of The Food Network's 30 Minute Meals. Total Time: 52 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 32 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/meatball-subs-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup (3 handfuls), Italian bread crumbs
1 medium onion, chopped fine
4 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons (several drops) Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup (a couple of handfuls) flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1/4 cup (a couple of handfuls) grated Parmigiano or Romano
Coarse salt and black pepper
5 Minute Marinara Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, (2 turns around the pan)
4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
A handful flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, about 2 tablespoons
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (28 ounces) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14 ounces) can chunky style crushed tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 semolina crusty sub rolls, with or without sesame seeds
1 (10-ounce) bag (2 1/2 cups) shredded provolone or Italian 4-cheese blend
Shredded basil (sweet) or shredded arugula (spicy) leaves, for garnish
Oven fries, as an accompaniment, recipe follows
Oven Fries:
4 medium white skinned potatoes, each cut into 8 wedges lengthwise
Extra-virgin olive oil, to coat
Grill seasoning blend or coarse salt and black pepper
Directions
5 Minute Marinara Sauce:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Place ground sirloin in a large mixing bowl and punch a well into the center of meat. Fill well with the egg, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire, parsley, cheese, and a little salt and pepper. Mix up meatball ingredients until well combined, yet not over-mixed. Divide mix into 4 equal parts, roll each part into 4 balls and space equally onto a nonstick baking sheet. Place meatballs in oven and roast about 12 minutes. Break a meatball open and make sure meat is cooked through before removing from the oven.
Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and garlic. When garlic starts sizzling, add herbs and crushed pepper. Allow oil to infuse for half a minute, then stir in the tomatoes and season sauce with salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a bubble, reduce heat, and simmer until meatballs are removed from oven.
Combine meatballs and sauce and pile into sub rolls, 4 meatballs per sub. Top with shredded cheese and place under subs under broiler to melt cheese. Top with shredded basil or arugula and serve with a pile of oven fries, recipe follows.
Oven Fries:
Drizzle potatoes with a generous pour of extra-virgin olive oil. Toss potatoes with seasoning blend or coarse salt and pepper. Place potatoes on a nonstick baking sheet and roast 20 minutes or until just tender. Give the baking sheet a good shake after 10 minutes to avoid sticking
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Tuesday Recipes
Before diving into today's recipes, there are four recalls to warn you about. All four were in a recent The Diabetic News e-newsletter. The first recall involves Blue Cheese from Maytag Dairy Farms. The voluntary recall is due to potential for contamination from Listeria monocytogenes. Click here to read the recall.
The second recall involves certain flax seed products which may have Salmonella contamination. The products were sold under the Organic Traditions brand name. Click here to read the recall.
The third recall involves macadamia nuts produced by Marathon Ventures. This is also due to a risk of Salmonella contamination. Click here to read the recall.
And finally, pistachios are being recalled due to a possible Samonella contamination risk. According to the beginning of the recall, Salmonella “can be especially dangerous for people with diabetes.” To read the recall, click here.
And now for today's six recipes. Enjoy!
CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TOMATOES AND CAPERS
This recipe was in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “This recipe was originally developed by Pierre Franey in 1991 for the 60-Minute Gourmet column, a weekly feature dedicated to Times-worthy dishes that were easy, quick and inexpensive. This recipe fit the bill perfectly, and it still does. Just sauté the chicken breasts until they are lightly browned. Then add shallots and garlic, tarragon, tomatoes, vinegar, capers, white wine and tomato paste. Stir well and cook for about 9 minutes more. That's it.” Time: 20 minutes; makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/4 pounds)
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon, or 2 teaspoons dried tarragon
8 ripe plum tomatoes cut into small cubes (or one 28-ounce can of tomatoes, drained and chopped)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup drained capers
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
Preparation
Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the oil and butter in a heavy-bottom skillet. Add the chicken breasts and saute over medium-high heat, turning the pieces often until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
Add the shallots and garlic around the chicken. Cook briefly; add the tarragon, tomatoes, vinegar, capers, wine and tomato paste. Stir to dissolve the brown particles adhering to the bottom of the skillet.
Blend well, bring to a boil, and then cover and simmer for 9 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
BANANAS FOSTER BREAD PUDDING
This decadent dessert comes from Sam Sifton in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Here is a nod both to the original bananas Foster at Brennan’s restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans and to the luxe version of bananas baba au rhum that the Louisiana chef Allison Vines-Rushing once cooked at Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar in the East Village. Silky and rich, deep with the flavors of bananas, rum and custard, it is not much work to make, and pays off in incredible flavor. Do not be afraid to use an even darker sugar than the brown called for in the recipe, though molasses may be a step too far. You are looking for a deep caramel hue and flavor in the sauce, to complement the rum and the fruit.” What would I write? “Yum!” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; makes 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup plus 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup dark rum
1 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 cups cubed brioche, approximately 1/2 loaf
5 ripe bananas, peeled and cut into coins
1 tablespoon white sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
Preparation
FOR THE BREAD PUDDINGPreheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, vanilla, 1 tablespoon rum and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the bread, and stir so that it absorbs the liquid. Set aside to soak.
Butter a 2-quart baking dish, and place it on a baking sheet. Line the bottom of the dish with banana coins, then spoon about 1/2 of the soaked bread over them. Top with banana coins, and spoon the remaining soaked bread over the top. Bake for 40 minutes, then sprinkle with the tablespoon of white sugar. Continue baking until the pudding is puffed and golden on top, approximately 50 to 60 minutes total.
Meanwhile, make the sauce. Melt the butter in a small sauce set over medium heat. Add the remaining brown sugar, cream, remaining rum and salt, and whisk until combined. Simmer, whisking, until the sauce has thickened, approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Serve the pudding warm, with some of the sauce drizzled over the top, alongside vanilla ice cream.
CARROT CHEESECAKE.
This comes from The Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “Most people would agree that the cream cheese frosting is the best part of any carrot cake, so it makes perfect sense to replace it with a thick layer of creamy cheesecake. These two classic cakes make one showstopping mash-up dessert.” Total Time: 2 hr; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 1 hr 30 min; Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Level: Intermediate.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/carrot-cheesecake.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
Carrot Cake:
1/2 cup pecan halves, plus more, chopped, for garnish
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Kosher salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded carrot (2 to 3 medium carrots)
Cheesecake:
Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sour cream
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Sour Cream Topping:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons sour cream
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt
Directions
For the carrot cake: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spread 1/2 cup of the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden and toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool, and then finely chop.
Combine the pecans, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil, sugar and eggs in a separate bowl. Stir the carrots into the egg mixture. Fold the carrot-egg mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Pour into an ungreased 9-inch springform cake pan and tap it on the counter to even out the batter. Bake until the cake bounces back when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. The cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the pan.
For the cheesecake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream and granulated sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the flour, lemon zest and juice and vanilla, about 1 minute.
Pour the cheesecake mixture over the carrot cake. Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan with a large piece of foil. Put in a roasting pan or a large baking dish and fill halfway up the sides of the cake pan with water. Bake until the cheesecake is pale yellow and just jiggles slightly in the center, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake rest in the hot oven for 30 minutes. Remove, run a sharp knife around the edge and let cool completely on a rack. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
For the sour cream topping: Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, sour cream, vanilla and salt. Spread on top of the cheesecake; garnish with chopped pecans. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Cut into slices and serve.
ZESTY SLOW-COOKER ITALIAN POT ROAST
This recipe, from the FamilyTime e-newsletter, begins, “Chuck roast, potatoes, celery and carrots simmer to tenderness in the slow-cooker with an Italian-inspired tomato sauce made special with Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 600 minutes (10 hours); Servings: 6. Source: Campbell's Recipes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 medium potatoes, cut into quarters (about 4 cups)
2 cups fresh or thawed frozen whole baby carrots
1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 3/4 cup)
1 medium Italian plum tomato, diced
1 beef bottom round roast or beef chuck pot roast (2 1/2 to 3 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon chopped roasted garlic *, or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
1 teaspoon each dried basil leaves, dried oregano leaves and dried parsley flakes, crushed
1 teaspoon vinegar
Directions
Place the potatoes, carrots, celery and tomato into a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Season the beef with the black pepper. Place the beef into the cooker.
Stir the soup, water, garlic, basil, oregano, parsley and vinegar in a small bowl. Pour the soup mixture over the beef and vegetables.
Cover and cook on LOW for 10 to 11 hours** or until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are tender.
*To roast garlic, place 1 whole garlic bulb onto a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle with vegetable oil. Wrap the foil tightly around the garlic. Roast at 350°F. for 45 minutes or until the garlic is soft. Peel and chop the garlic.
**Or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours.
Tip: For thicker gravy, mix 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup water in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth. Romove the beef and vegetables from the cooker. Stir the flour mixture into the cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 10 minutes or until the mixture boils and thickens.
ANYTIME BLACK FOREST BLIZZARD
This was also in the September 2012 issue of Runner’s World, page 50. Contributing chef Pam Anderson comes up with quite a few really yummy recipes. This recipe starts off, “Plain Greek yogurt has roughly twice the protein and half the sugar of plan traditional yogurt. Cherries contain antioxidants that help reduce postrun inflammation. ‘To add crunch, stir in Famous Chocolate Wafers,’ says Anderson.”
I doubt that Pam is reading this, but if she is, all I can say is: Keep it up, please!
1 heaping cup frozen, dark sweet cherries
1 frozen banana, cut into chunks
1 C chocolate soymilk
1/4 C Greek yogurt
2 tsp honey or agave syrup
1/4 tsp almond extract
4 Famous Chocolate Wafers, crumbled
Place all the ingredients – except the Famous Chocolate Wafers – in a blender; process until creamy smooth. Divide between two glasses. Top each with a portion of crumbled Famous Chocolate Wafers. Serves two.
Calories per serving: 273; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 4 g; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 4 g
SPAGHETTI PIE
This was featured on The Today Show in August, and got Matt Lauer's attention. I had never tried anything like this before. As a vegetarian, I'd lean toward using a vegetarian substitute for the ground turkey or beef.
To view this online, along with video, go to http://www.today.com/food/spaghetti-pie-fun-way-make-dinner-leftovers-later-t39701.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti, cooked, 1/2 cup cooking water reserved
1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
1 pound ground turkey or sirloin beef
1 cup tomato paste, divided
3 large eggs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt to taste
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350.
In a large skillet, saute the onions until soft. Add ground turkey or beef, and 3/4 cup of the tomato paste. Add half the reserved pasta water and stir well. Season with salt, to taste. Consistency should be like a thick Bolognese sauce. Add more cooking water as needed.
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, eggs, parmesan cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of the tomato paste.
Grease a 9 or 10-inch pie pan with olive oil. Spread half the meat mixture over the bottom of the pan. Add the spaghetti mixture and press it down to level it. Top with the remaining meat mixture, then scatter the remaining mozzarella on top.
Bake the pie in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit about 10 minutes. Use a sharp knife or pizza slicer to cut into wedges like a pie. Serve with a green salad.
The second recall involves certain flax seed products which may have Salmonella contamination. The products were sold under the Organic Traditions brand name. Click here to read the recall.
The third recall involves macadamia nuts produced by Marathon Ventures. This is also due to a risk of Salmonella contamination. Click here to read the recall.
And finally, pistachios are being recalled due to a possible Samonella contamination risk. According to the beginning of the recall, Salmonella “can be especially dangerous for people with diabetes.” To read the recall, click here.
And now for today's six recipes. Enjoy!
CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TOMATOES AND CAPERS
This recipe was in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “This recipe was originally developed by Pierre Franey in 1991 for the 60-Minute Gourmet column, a weekly feature dedicated to Times-worthy dishes that were easy, quick and inexpensive. This recipe fit the bill perfectly, and it still does. Just sauté the chicken breasts until they are lightly browned. Then add shallots and garlic, tarragon, tomatoes, vinegar, capers, white wine and tomato paste. Stir well and cook for about 9 minutes more. That's it.” Time: 20 minutes; makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/4 pounds)
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon, or 2 teaspoons dried tarragon
8 ripe plum tomatoes cut into small cubes (or one 28-ounce can of tomatoes, drained and chopped)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup drained capers
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
Preparation
Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the oil and butter in a heavy-bottom skillet. Add the chicken breasts and saute over medium-high heat, turning the pieces often until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
Add the shallots and garlic around the chicken. Cook briefly; add the tarragon, tomatoes, vinegar, capers, wine and tomato paste. Stir to dissolve the brown particles adhering to the bottom of the skillet.
Blend well, bring to a boil, and then cover and simmer for 9 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
BANANAS FOSTER BREAD PUDDING
This decadent dessert comes from Sam Sifton in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Here is a nod both to the original bananas Foster at Brennan’s restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans and to the luxe version of bananas baba au rhum that the Louisiana chef Allison Vines-Rushing once cooked at Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar in the East Village. Silky and rich, deep with the flavors of bananas, rum and custard, it is not much work to make, and pays off in incredible flavor. Do not be afraid to use an even darker sugar than the brown called for in the recipe, though molasses may be a step too far. You are looking for a deep caramel hue and flavor in the sauce, to complement the rum and the fruit.” What would I write? “Yum!” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; makes 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup plus 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup dark rum
1 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 cups cubed brioche, approximately 1/2 loaf
5 ripe bananas, peeled and cut into coins
1 tablespoon white sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
Preparation
FOR THE BREAD PUDDINGPreheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, vanilla, 1 tablespoon rum and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the bread, and stir so that it absorbs the liquid. Set aside to soak.
Butter a 2-quart baking dish, and place it on a baking sheet. Line the bottom of the dish with banana coins, then spoon about 1/2 of the soaked bread over them. Top with banana coins, and spoon the remaining soaked bread over the top. Bake for 40 minutes, then sprinkle with the tablespoon of white sugar. Continue baking until the pudding is puffed and golden on top, approximately 50 to 60 minutes total.
Meanwhile, make the sauce. Melt the butter in a small sauce set over medium heat. Add the remaining brown sugar, cream, remaining rum and salt, and whisk until combined. Simmer, whisking, until the sauce has thickened, approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Serve the pudding warm, with some of the sauce drizzled over the top, alongside vanilla ice cream.
CARROT CHEESECAKE.
This comes from The Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “Most people would agree that the cream cheese frosting is the best part of any carrot cake, so it makes perfect sense to replace it with a thick layer of creamy cheesecake. These two classic cakes make one showstopping mash-up dessert.” Total Time: 2 hr; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 1 hr 30 min; Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Level: Intermediate.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/carrot-cheesecake.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
Carrot Cake:
1/2 cup pecan halves, plus more, chopped, for garnish
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Kosher salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded carrot (2 to 3 medium carrots)
Cheesecake:
Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sour cream
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Sour Cream Topping:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons sour cream
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt
Directions
For the carrot cake: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spread 1/2 cup of the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden and toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool, and then finely chop.
Combine the pecans, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil, sugar and eggs in a separate bowl. Stir the carrots into the egg mixture. Fold the carrot-egg mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Pour into an ungreased 9-inch springform cake pan and tap it on the counter to even out the batter. Bake until the cake bounces back when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. The cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the pan.
For the cheesecake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream and granulated sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the flour, lemon zest and juice and vanilla, about 1 minute.
Pour the cheesecake mixture over the carrot cake. Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan with a large piece of foil. Put in a roasting pan or a large baking dish and fill halfway up the sides of the cake pan with water. Bake until the cheesecake is pale yellow and just jiggles slightly in the center, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake rest in the hot oven for 30 minutes. Remove, run a sharp knife around the edge and let cool completely on a rack. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
For the sour cream topping: Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, sour cream, vanilla and salt. Spread on top of the cheesecake; garnish with chopped pecans. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Cut into slices and serve.
ZESTY SLOW-COOKER ITALIAN POT ROAST
This recipe, from the FamilyTime e-newsletter, begins, “Chuck roast, potatoes, celery and carrots simmer to tenderness in the slow-cooker with an Italian-inspired tomato sauce made special with Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 600 minutes (10 hours); Servings: 6. Source: Campbell's Recipes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 medium potatoes, cut into quarters (about 4 cups)
2 cups fresh or thawed frozen whole baby carrots
1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 3/4 cup)
1 medium Italian plum tomato, diced
1 beef bottom round roast or beef chuck pot roast (2 1/2 to 3 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon chopped roasted garlic *, or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic
1 teaspoon each dried basil leaves, dried oregano leaves and dried parsley flakes, crushed
1 teaspoon vinegar
Directions
Place the potatoes, carrots, celery and tomato into a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Season the beef with the black pepper. Place the beef into the cooker.
Stir the soup, water, garlic, basil, oregano, parsley and vinegar in a small bowl. Pour the soup mixture over the beef and vegetables.
Cover and cook on LOW for 10 to 11 hours** or until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are tender.
*To roast garlic, place 1 whole garlic bulb onto a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle with vegetable oil. Wrap the foil tightly around the garlic. Roast at 350°F. for 45 minutes or until the garlic is soft. Peel and chop the garlic.
**Or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours.
Tip: For thicker gravy, mix 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup water in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth. Romove the beef and vegetables from the cooker. Stir the flour mixture into the cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 10 minutes or until the mixture boils and thickens.
ANYTIME BLACK FOREST BLIZZARD
This was also in the September 2012 issue of Runner’s World, page 50. Contributing chef Pam Anderson comes up with quite a few really yummy recipes. This recipe starts off, “Plain Greek yogurt has roughly twice the protein and half the sugar of plan traditional yogurt. Cherries contain antioxidants that help reduce postrun inflammation. ‘To add crunch, stir in Famous Chocolate Wafers,’ says Anderson.”
I doubt that Pam is reading this, but if she is, all I can say is: Keep it up, please!
1 heaping cup frozen, dark sweet cherries
1 frozen banana, cut into chunks
1 C chocolate soymilk
1/4 C Greek yogurt
2 tsp honey or agave syrup
1/4 tsp almond extract
4 Famous Chocolate Wafers, crumbled
Place all the ingredients – except the Famous Chocolate Wafers – in a blender; process until creamy smooth. Divide between two glasses. Top each with a portion of crumbled Famous Chocolate Wafers. Serves two.
Calories per serving: 273; Carbs: 54 g; Fiber: 4 g; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 4 g
SPAGHETTI PIE
This was featured on The Today Show in August, and got Matt Lauer's attention. I had never tried anything like this before. As a vegetarian, I'd lean toward using a vegetarian substitute for the ground turkey or beef.
To view this online, along with video, go to http://www.today.com/food/spaghetti-pie-fun-way-make-dinner-leftovers-later-t39701.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti, cooked, 1/2 cup cooking water reserved
1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
1 pound ground turkey or sirloin beef
1 cup tomato paste, divided
3 large eggs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt to taste
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350.
In a large skillet, saute the onions until soft. Add ground turkey or beef, and 3/4 cup of the tomato paste. Add half the reserved pasta water and stir well. Season with salt, to taste. Consistency should be like a thick Bolognese sauce. Add more cooking water as needed.
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, eggs, parmesan cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of the tomato paste.
Grease a 9 or 10-inch pie pan with olive oil. Spread half the meat mixture over the bottom of the pan. Add the spaghetti mixture and press it down to level it. Top with the remaining meat mixture, then scatter the remaining mozzarella on top.
Bake the pie in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit about 10 minutes. Use a sharp knife or pizza slicer to cut into wedges like a pie. Serve with a green salad.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Meatless Monday
Is it Monday already? Where did the weekend go? Siiiiiigh... No matter. Here are six vegetarian recipes to start off your week. Enjoy!
MAPLE-GLAZED SWEET POTATOES
This comes from the November 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 60. It starts off, “As these sweet potatoes cook, a blend of maple syrup and apple cider vinegar thickens into a light glaze.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
1 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
2 cinnamon sticks
3 lb. sweet potatoes or garnet yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 Tbs. shelled roasted unsalted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine maple syrup, vinegar, 1/2 cup water, oil, salt, and cinnamon sticks in 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Add sweet potatoes, and stir to coat.
Cover dish tightly with foil, and bake 10 minutes. Uncover, and bake 30 to 35 minutes more, basting potatoes every 10 minutes with maple mixture, until maple mixture thickens and potatoes glisten and begin to brown. Remove from oven, season with salt and pepper (if desired), and stir in sunflower seeds.
nutritional information per 3/4-cup serving: Calories: 233; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 332 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 32 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
SOFT APPLE GINGER SPICE COOKIES
This is from the September 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 65. The recipe starts off, “In addition to being some of the best spice cookies you’ll ever eat, these may also be the easiest since you don’t need an electric mixer to prepare the dough. You can also make them without diced apples, or substitute dried cranberries.” Makes 20 4-inch cookies.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup Rosy Applesauce (recipe follows) or unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for rolling cookies
1 large apple, peeled and finely diced (1 cup)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, or coat with cooking spray.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl.
Whisk together oil, applesauce, and molasses in separate large bowl. Whisk in 3/4 cup sugar. Stir in flour mixture with spatula. Fold in diced apple.
Place remaining 1/2 cup sugar in bowl. Roll 1/4 cup dough into ball, then roll ball in sugar. Repeat with remaining dough. Place balls on prepared baking sheets.
Put baking sheets in oven, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until tops of cookies are dry and bottoms are golden brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
Per cookie: 176 cal; 2 g protein; 6 g total fat (less than 1 g sat. fat); 30 g carb; 0 mg chol; 127 mg sodium; less than 1 g fiber; 16 g sugars
ROSY APPLESAUCE
From page 63 of the September 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times.
While this isn’t a cookie recipe, it figures into the Soft Apple Ginger Spice Cookies. It would also make a nice addition to almost any meal. The recipe starts off, “Use a variety of apples to give the applesauce a more complex flavor.” Makes 6 cups.
4 lb. apples, quartered with skins and cores
1 cup apple cider
Place apples and cider in large pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, and cook 1 hour, or until apples are mushy, stirring occasionally. Cool in pot. Pass apples through food mill or sieve. Discard solids. Store up to 1 week in fridge.
Per 1/2-cup serving: 72 cal; less than 1 g protein; less than 1 g fat (less than 1 g sat. fat); 19 g carb; 0 mg chol; 2 mg sodium; 2 g fiber; 15 g sugar
CAFE DE OLLA
The recipe for this yummy coffee is from the December 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 47. It starts off, “Literally 'coffee from the pot,' this recipe offers a simple way to make coffee for a crowd, with a spiced twist that no one can resist.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
4 cinnamon sticks
4 star anise
4 allspice berries
4 whole cloves
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or 4 oz. piloncillo (Mexican raw sugar cones)
2 cups medium grind, dark roast coffee beans
2 cups low-fat milk
1 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, optional
Lightly crush cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice, and cloves with mortar and pestle. Place in resealable plastic bag, and pound with rolling pin. Transfer to large saucepan, and add sugar and 8 cups water. Bring mixture to a boil, and simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add coffee, and let steep 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, warm milk in small saucepan, and whisk until frothy.
Strain coffee through fine sieve or coffee filter into pitcher. Stir in coffee liqueur (if using). Serve with frothed milk.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 80; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 35 mg; Fiber: 0 g; Sugar: 16 g; Gluten-Free
ULTIMATE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
This comes from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 53. It begins, “The Native American “three sisters”—corn, beans, and squash—come together in these individual holiday entrées stuffed with corn pudding and black beans.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
3 Tbs. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.), divided
4 acorn squash, halved and seeded
1/2 tsp. ancho chile powder, plus more for sprinkling squash
1/2 tsp. ground coriander, plus more for sprinkling squash
3 cups fresh or frozen organic corn kernels, divided
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, optional
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 large eggs
4 Tbs. melted butter or olive oil
3 oz. soft goat cheese or low-fat cream cheese (1/3 cup)
3 oz. grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese (3/4 cup), plus more for sprinkling tops, optional
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large poblano chile or 1 small red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
8 green onions, white and green parts thinly sliced (1 cup), plus more for sprinkling tops
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine oil and 2 tsp. minced garlic in small bowl. Brush squash halves with garlic oil, and sprinkle lightly with ancho chile powder and coriander. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and place on large baking sheet.
Pulse 2 cups corn kernels in food processor until finely chopped and milky. Set aside.
Whisk 1/2 tsp. each coriander and ancho chile powder into cornmeal, along with sugar, baking soda, salt, and cayenne (if using) in medium bowl. Set aside.
Whisk together buttermilk and eggs in separate bowl. Whisk in butter, then puréed corn, remaining 1 cup corn kernels, goat cheese, Cheddar, and remaining 2 tsp. garlic. Fold in cornmeal mixture with spatula, then fold in black beans, poblano chile, and green onions.
Divide filling among squash halves. Sprinkle each squash with extra Cheddar (if using).
Bake squash halves 30 to 45 minutes, or until squash are tender and filling is set. Sprinkle with green onions. Squash can be prepared 24 hours ahead, then reheated 20 minutes at 325°F.
nutritional information Per Stuffed squash half: Calories: 425; Protein: 15 g; Total Fat: 20 g; Saturated Fat: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 53 g; Cholesterol: 80 mg; Sodium: 533 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 6 g; Gluten-Free
MAPLE-GLAZED CARROTS
This comes from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 58. It starts off, “Maple syrup brings out the natural sweetness of carrots, while Dijon mustard adds a hint of tanginess.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 lb. baby carrots, halved lengthwise if thick
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. chopped fresh tarragon.
Heat oil in large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add carrots, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add maple syrup, mustard, and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer 10 minutes, or until carrots are tender. Uncover, increase heat to medium-high, and simmer 5 minutes, or until liquid is syrupy and carrots are glazed. Stir in tarragon just before serving.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 106; Protein: less than 1 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 120 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 14 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
MAPLE-GLAZED SWEET POTATOES
This comes from the November 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 60. It starts off, “As these sweet potatoes cook, a blend of maple syrup and apple cider vinegar thickens into a light glaze.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
1 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
2 cinnamon sticks
3 lb. sweet potatoes or garnet yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 Tbs. shelled roasted unsalted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine maple syrup, vinegar, 1/2 cup water, oil, salt, and cinnamon sticks in 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Add sweet potatoes, and stir to coat.
Cover dish tightly with foil, and bake 10 minutes. Uncover, and bake 30 to 35 minutes more, basting potatoes every 10 minutes with maple mixture, until maple mixture thickens and potatoes glisten and begin to brown. Remove from oven, season with salt and pepper (if desired), and stir in sunflower seeds.
nutritional information per 3/4-cup serving: Calories: 233; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 332 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 32 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
SOFT APPLE GINGER SPICE COOKIES
This is from the September 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 65. The recipe starts off, “In addition to being some of the best spice cookies you’ll ever eat, these may also be the easiest since you don’t need an electric mixer to prepare the dough. You can also make them without diced apples, or substitute dried cranberries.” Makes 20 4-inch cookies.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup Rosy Applesauce (recipe follows) or unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup for rolling cookies
1 large apple, peeled and finely diced (1 cup)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, or coat with cooking spray.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl.
Whisk together oil, applesauce, and molasses in separate large bowl. Whisk in 3/4 cup sugar. Stir in flour mixture with spatula. Fold in diced apple.
Place remaining 1/2 cup sugar in bowl. Roll 1/4 cup dough into ball, then roll ball in sugar. Repeat with remaining dough. Place balls on prepared baking sheets.
Put baking sheets in oven, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until tops of cookies are dry and bottoms are golden brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
Per cookie: 176 cal; 2 g protein; 6 g total fat (less than 1 g sat. fat); 30 g carb; 0 mg chol; 127 mg sodium; less than 1 g fiber; 16 g sugars
ROSY APPLESAUCE
From page 63 of the September 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times.
While this isn’t a cookie recipe, it figures into the Soft Apple Ginger Spice Cookies. It would also make a nice addition to almost any meal. The recipe starts off, “Use a variety of apples to give the applesauce a more complex flavor.” Makes 6 cups.
4 lb. apples, quartered with skins and cores
1 cup apple cider
Place apples and cider in large pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, and cook 1 hour, or until apples are mushy, stirring occasionally. Cool in pot. Pass apples through food mill or sieve. Discard solids. Store up to 1 week in fridge.
Per 1/2-cup serving: 72 cal; less than 1 g protein; less than 1 g fat (less than 1 g sat. fat); 19 g carb; 0 mg chol; 2 mg sodium; 2 g fiber; 15 g sugar
CAFE DE OLLA
The recipe for this yummy coffee is from the December 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 47. It starts off, “Literally 'coffee from the pot,' this recipe offers a simple way to make coffee for a crowd, with a spiced twist that no one can resist.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
4 cinnamon sticks
4 star anise
4 allspice berries
4 whole cloves
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or 4 oz. piloncillo (Mexican raw sugar cones)
2 cups medium grind, dark roast coffee beans
2 cups low-fat milk
1 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, optional
Lightly crush cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice, and cloves with mortar and pestle. Place in resealable plastic bag, and pound with rolling pin. Transfer to large saucepan, and add sugar and 8 cups water. Bring mixture to a boil, and simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add coffee, and let steep 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, warm milk in small saucepan, and whisk until frothy.
Strain coffee through fine sieve or coffee filter into pitcher. Stir in coffee liqueur (if using). Serve with frothed milk.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 80; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 35 mg; Fiber: 0 g; Sugar: 16 g; Gluten-Free
ULTIMATE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
This comes from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 53. It begins, “The Native American “three sisters”—corn, beans, and squash—come together in these individual holiday entrées stuffed with corn pudding and black beans.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
3 Tbs. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.), divided
4 acorn squash, halved and seeded
1/2 tsp. ancho chile powder, plus more for sprinkling squash
1/2 tsp. ground coriander, plus more for sprinkling squash
3 cups fresh or frozen organic corn kernels, divided
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, optional
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 large eggs
4 Tbs. melted butter or olive oil
3 oz. soft goat cheese or low-fat cream cheese (1/3 cup)
3 oz. grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese (3/4 cup), plus more for sprinkling tops, optional
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large poblano chile or 1 small red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
8 green onions, white and green parts thinly sliced (1 cup), plus more for sprinkling tops
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine oil and 2 tsp. minced garlic in small bowl. Brush squash halves with garlic oil, and sprinkle lightly with ancho chile powder and coriander. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and place on large baking sheet.
Pulse 2 cups corn kernels in food processor until finely chopped and milky. Set aside.
Whisk 1/2 tsp. each coriander and ancho chile powder into cornmeal, along with sugar, baking soda, salt, and cayenne (if using) in medium bowl. Set aside.
Whisk together buttermilk and eggs in separate bowl. Whisk in butter, then puréed corn, remaining 1 cup corn kernels, goat cheese, Cheddar, and remaining 2 tsp. garlic. Fold in cornmeal mixture with spatula, then fold in black beans, poblano chile, and green onions.
Divide filling among squash halves. Sprinkle each squash with extra Cheddar (if using).
Bake squash halves 30 to 45 minutes, or until squash are tender and filling is set. Sprinkle with green onions. Squash can be prepared 24 hours ahead, then reheated 20 minutes at 325°F.
nutritional information Per Stuffed squash half: Calories: 425; Protein: 15 g; Total Fat: 20 g; Saturated Fat: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 53 g; Cholesterol: 80 mg; Sodium: 533 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 6 g; Gluten-Free
MAPLE-GLAZED CARROTS
This comes from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 58. It starts off, “Maple syrup brings out the natural sweetness of carrots, while Dijon mustard adds a hint of tanginess.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 lb. baby carrots, halved lengthwise if thick
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. chopped fresh tarragon.
Heat oil in large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add carrots, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add maple syrup, mustard, and 1 cup water; season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer 10 minutes, or until carrots are tender. Uncover, increase heat to medium-high, and simmer 5 minutes, or until liquid is syrupy and carrots are glazed. Stir in tarragon just before serving.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 106; Protein: less than 1 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 120 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 14 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
Friday, March 4, 2016
Friday Recipes
Enjoy!
KATHARINE HEPBURN'S BROWNIES
This came in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic. It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make. So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.” Time: about 45 minutes; makes 12 brownies
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
This comes from Jeff Gordinier in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Jeff writes, “Bread that slides out of a can? It might strike many Americans as a dubious culinary eccentricity, but throughout New England it is a staple, often purchased at the supermarket and served at home with a generous pour of baked beans. 'I had this growing up,' said Meghan Thompson, the pastry chef at Townsman, in Boston, where the cylindrical brown tower comes to the table as something of a regional wink. Her version, commissioned by the chef Matt Jennings, dials down the cloying sweetness and amps up the flavor with a totally different manifestation of beans: doenjang, the funky Korean paste made from fermented soybeans.” Time: about 2 hours; makes 2 coffee-can-size loaves, or 1 standard loaf
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons white rye flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons stone-ground whole wheat flour
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons dark rye flour
1 cup fine-ground cornmeal
1 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup egg whites (from 4 to 5 large eggs)
3/4 cup (scant) blackstrap molasses
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and generously coat the insides of 2 10-ounce coffee cans or a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Place the white rye flour in a large skillet over medium heat and toast, whisking constantly, for 7 minutes. The flour will darken slightly and smell nutty.
Whisk the flours, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the doenjang and buttermilk until combined; set aside. With an electric mixer, whip the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of the molasses until stiff, silky peaks form, about 5 minutes. Whisk the remaining molasses into the buttermilk mixture. Gradually stir the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients until combined. Fold in the whipped egg whites in 2 additions.
Pour batter into the prepared cans or loaf pan. Coat pieces of foil with cooking spray, then cover the tops of the cans or pan securely. Set the cans or pan in a baking dish and add enough hot water to come about 1/4 inch up the side. Transfer to oven and bake until the top springs back when lightly touched, about 1 hour 40 minutes for the cans, or 2 hours for the loaf pan. Let cool 20 minutes on a wire rack, then invert and remove the bread to a cutting board. Let cool completely before slicing.
BAKED BEANS
Of course, you can't have Boston Brown Bread without a helping of Baked Beans. This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Sam writes, “Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread.” Makes 6 to 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups navy beans
Salt
1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup molasses
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Preparation
Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.
Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.
Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.
FROZEN BLUEBERRY LEMONADE PIE
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “Blueberries give this frozen lemonade pie extra color and flavor, and it is a fabulous pie for a hot summer day. The pie takes just a few minutes to mix - just freeze and eat!” Prep Time: 6 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 6 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 can (6 ounces) frozen lemonade
1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping, regular or "lite," thawed in the refrigerator
1 deep dish graham cracker pie crust, homemade or purchased
Preparation
Put the blueberries, sweetened condensed milk, and frozen lemonade in a blender container. Blend until well mixed.
Pour into a bowl and fold in the whipped topping until well blended.
Spoon into the prepared crust.
Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours.
If frozen solid, take it out of the freezer 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Note: I used a "2 extra servings" deep dish ready crust for the pie. A smaller pie shell will leave you with extra filling.
Just freeze any excess in small ramekins or 4-ounce canning jars and serve as a frozen pudding.
ONE-POT RIGATONI WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE
This comes from the Tablespoon e-newsletter. It begins, “This one-pot version of the spicy Italian classic cooks the pasta in the sauce with shiitake mushrooms for even more earthy, delicious flavor.” Prep Time: 45 min; Total Time: 45 min; Servings: 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup sliced red onion
8 oz sliced shiitake mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, sliced
4 tablespoons spicy harissa
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups water
16 oz uncooked rigatoni pasta
1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
1 cup shredded fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
In 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until translucent. Add mushrooms; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until mushrooms are browned and liquid is evaporated. Add garlic, harissa and tomatoes; heat just to simmering. Stir in water; heat to boiling.
Add pasta; return to simmering. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is cooked to desired tenderness. Stir in olives. Top with basil and cheese. Serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.
SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH POTATO TOPPING
This is from Kathy Kingsley, About.com's American Food expert. She writes, “Although this dish is called a 'pie,' there isn’t any pastry involved. It is simply a mix of ground turkey and vegetables in a sauce with a topping of mashed potatoes. The dish is browned in the oven for a delicious example of comfort food. For a pretty effect, pipe the topping over the filling, using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Serve this hearty meal with a steamed green vegetable.” Yield: Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Potato Topping
3 1/2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inches pieces
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1 cup thawed frozen peas
3/4 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Preparation
Make the potato topping: In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes with enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes well in a colander. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, milk, butter, salt and pepper to taste. Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed until smooth. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bring a small saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the carrots and cook for 2 minutes to blanch. Drain and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in the ground turkey, breaking up the large pieces with a fork, and cook until browned. Add the blanched carrots, peas, corn, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mix well. Cook, stirring often, until the flavors have blended, about 10 minutes. Season with black pepper to taste.
Spray a 3-quart gratin dish or shallow casserole with vegetable oil spray. Spoon the vegetable-turkey mixture into the prepared dish. Top with dollops of mashed potatoes. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until heated through. Serve hot.
Recipe Notes:
• You can mash any type of potato, but those with a high starch/low water content, such as russet and Yukon Gold, produce perfect results. The starch creates a fluffy texture, and the low water content allows them to absorb milk and butter without becoming gummy.
• Never try to whip potatoes in a food processor or you will have a gluey mess.
• Ideally, mashed potatoes should be served freshly made, but this is not always possible. Mash them up to 1 hour before serving, reserving one-third of the milk. Place them in a heatproof bowl, set over a pan of barely simmering water. Pour the reserved milk over the top. Just before serving, stir the milk into the potatoes.
• Potatoes are more fragile than you might think, so handle them carefully to prevent bruising. Keep them unwashed in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. If stored in a place that is too hot, the sugar will convert to starch and the potatoes will lose their natural sweetness.
• Choose fairly clean, smooth, firm potatoes. For even cooking, pick potatoes that are about the same size. Do not select ones with wrinkled skins, soft dark spots, cut surfaces, or green areas. Green spots mean they have been exposed to light; cut the spot off before cooking to eliminate bitterness.
KATHARINE HEPBURN'S BROWNIES
This came in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic. It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make. So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.” Time: about 45 minutes; makes 12 brownies
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
This comes from Jeff Gordinier in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Jeff writes, “Bread that slides out of a can? It might strike many Americans as a dubious culinary eccentricity, but throughout New England it is a staple, often purchased at the supermarket and served at home with a generous pour of baked beans. 'I had this growing up,' said Meghan Thompson, the pastry chef at Townsman, in Boston, where the cylindrical brown tower comes to the table as something of a regional wink. Her version, commissioned by the chef Matt Jennings, dials down the cloying sweetness and amps up the flavor with a totally different manifestation of beans: doenjang, the funky Korean paste made from fermented soybeans.” Time: about 2 hours; makes 2 coffee-can-size loaves, or 1 standard loaf
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons white rye flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons stone-ground whole wheat flour
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons dark rye flour
1 cup fine-ground cornmeal
1 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup egg whites (from 4 to 5 large eggs)
3/4 cup (scant) blackstrap molasses
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and generously coat the insides of 2 10-ounce coffee cans or a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Place the white rye flour in a large skillet over medium heat and toast, whisking constantly, for 7 minutes. The flour will darken slightly and smell nutty.
Whisk the flours, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the doenjang and buttermilk until combined; set aside. With an electric mixer, whip the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of the molasses until stiff, silky peaks form, about 5 minutes. Whisk the remaining molasses into the buttermilk mixture. Gradually stir the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients until combined. Fold in the whipped egg whites in 2 additions.
Pour batter into the prepared cans or loaf pan. Coat pieces of foil with cooking spray, then cover the tops of the cans or pan securely. Set the cans or pan in a baking dish and add enough hot water to come about 1/4 inch up the side. Transfer to oven and bake until the top springs back when lightly touched, about 1 hour 40 minutes for the cans, or 2 hours for the loaf pan. Let cool 20 minutes on a wire rack, then invert and remove the bread to a cutting board. Let cool completely before slicing.
BAKED BEANS
Of course, you can't have Boston Brown Bread without a helping of Baked Beans. This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Sam writes, “Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread.” Makes 6 to 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups navy beans
Salt
1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup molasses
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Preparation
Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.
Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.
Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.
FROZEN BLUEBERRY LEMONADE PIE
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “Blueberries give this frozen lemonade pie extra color and flavor, and it is a fabulous pie for a hot summer day. The pie takes just a few minutes to mix - just freeze and eat!” Prep Time: 6 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 6 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 can (6 ounces) frozen lemonade
1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping, regular or "lite," thawed in the refrigerator
1 deep dish graham cracker pie crust, homemade or purchased
Preparation
Put the blueberries, sweetened condensed milk, and frozen lemonade in a blender container. Blend until well mixed.
Pour into a bowl and fold in the whipped topping until well blended.
Spoon into the prepared crust.
Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours.
If frozen solid, take it out of the freezer 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
Note: I used a "2 extra servings" deep dish ready crust for the pie. A smaller pie shell will leave you with extra filling.
Just freeze any excess in small ramekins or 4-ounce canning jars and serve as a frozen pudding.
ONE-POT RIGATONI WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE
This comes from the Tablespoon e-newsletter. It begins, “This one-pot version of the spicy Italian classic cooks the pasta in the sauce with shiitake mushrooms for even more earthy, delicious flavor.” Prep Time: 45 min; Total Time: 45 min; Servings: 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup sliced red onion
8 oz sliced shiitake mushrooms
3 cloves garlic, sliced
4 tablespoons spicy harissa
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups water
16 oz uncooked rigatoni pasta
1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
1 cup shredded fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
In 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until translucent. Add mushrooms; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until mushrooms are browned and liquid is evaporated. Add garlic, harissa and tomatoes; heat just to simmering. Stir in water; heat to boiling.
Add pasta; return to simmering. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is cooked to desired tenderness. Stir in olives. Top with basil and cheese. Serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.
SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH POTATO TOPPING
This is from Kathy Kingsley, About.com's American Food expert. She writes, “Although this dish is called a 'pie,' there isn’t any pastry involved. It is simply a mix of ground turkey and vegetables in a sauce with a topping of mashed potatoes. The dish is browned in the oven for a delicious example of comfort food. For a pretty effect, pipe the topping over the filling, using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Serve this hearty meal with a steamed green vegetable.” Yield: Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Potato Topping
3 1/2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inches pieces
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1 cup thawed frozen peas
3/4 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Preparation
Make the potato topping: In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes with enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes well in a colander. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, milk, butter, salt and pepper to taste. Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed until smooth. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bring a small saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the carrots and cook for 2 minutes to blanch. Drain and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in the ground turkey, breaking up the large pieces with a fork, and cook until browned. Add the blanched carrots, peas, corn, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mix well. Cook, stirring often, until the flavors have blended, about 10 minutes. Season with black pepper to taste.
Spray a 3-quart gratin dish or shallow casserole with vegetable oil spray. Spoon the vegetable-turkey mixture into the prepared dish. Top with dollops of mashed potatoes. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until heated through. Serve hot.
Recipe Notes:
• You can mash any type of potato, but those with a high starch/low water content, such as russet and Yukon Gold, produce perfect results. The starch creates a fluffy texture, and the low water content allows them to absorb milk and butter without becoming gummy.
• Never try to whip potatoes in a food processor or you will have a gluey mess.
• Ideally, mashed potatoes should be served freshly made, but this is not always possible. Mash them up to 1 hour before serving, reserving one-third of the milk. Place them in a heatproof bowl, set over a pan of barely simmering water. Pour the reserved milk over the top. Just before serving, stir the milk into the potatoes.
• Potatoes are more fragile than you might think, so handle them carefully to prevent bruising. Keep them unwashed in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. If stored in a place that is too hot, the sugar will convert to starch and the potatoes will lose their natural sweetness.
• Choose fairly clean, smooth, firm potatoes. For even cooking, pick potatoes that are about the same size. Do not select ones with wrinkled skins, soft dark spots, cut surfaces, or green areas. Green spots mean they have been exposed to light; cut the spot off before cooking to eliminate bitterness.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Diabetic Thursday
Enjoy!
HERB-CRUSTED BROCCOLI
6 Servings
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/22.shtml
View: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/364.shtml
Ingredients
Butter-flavored vegetable cooking spray
2-4 tablespoons chopped pecans
1/4 cup dry unseasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried chervil leaves
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1-1/2 lb broccoli, cut into florets and stalks sliced, cooked
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Spray small skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Add pecans and spray with cooking spray; cook over medium heat until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add breadcrumbs, marjoram, and chervil to skillet; cook until crumbs are toasted, 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
Season broccoli with salt and pepper to taste; arrange in serving bowl. Spoon crumb mixture over broccoli.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 61; Protein: 3.7 g; Fat: 2.1 g; Sodium: 64 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 8.7 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
HERBED POLENTA
Yield: 4 to 6 Servings
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/271.shtml
Ingredients
Olive oil cooking spray
2 green onions and tops, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
2-1/2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable, or chicken broth
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute onions, garlic, and basil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add broth and heat to boiling; gradually stir in cornmeal and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
Pour polenta into lightly greased 8-inch cake pan; cool to room temperature. Refrigerate, lightly covered, until polenta is firm, 3 to 4 hours.
Spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cut polenta into wedges; cook in skillet over medium heat until browned, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 124; Protein: 2.5 g ; Fat: 1.3 g; Sodium: 309 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 22.4 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Fat
BACON AND MUSHROOM BITE-SIZE QUICHE
Found online at http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/844.shtml. The recipe starts with, "Tender, cheesy and savory custards in flaky pastry shells make elegant finger food-and can be made ahead and reheated. Delicious for brunch or evening appetizers." Makes 3-1/2 dozen; serving size: 1 quiche.
Ingredients
8 slices bacon
1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup green onion, chopped
1 2/3 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
Pastry for double-crust pie, (homemade or purchased)
5 eggs
1 2/3 cups sour cream
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
On a lightly floured board, roll out the pastry dough 1/ 16-inch thick.
Using a 3-inch cutter, cut out 42 circles; re-roll scraps as needed. Fit circles into bottoms and slightly up sides of lightly greased 2-1/2-inch muffin pans.
Meanwhile, fry bacon slices until crisp, drain; crumble or chop. Chop mushrooms, saute in butter until limp and liquid evaporates. Combine bacon, mushrooms, green onion and cheese. Divide filling equally among muffin cups.
In large bowl, beat together eggs, add sour cream and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1 tablespoon into each muffin cup. Bake until puffed and light brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 5 minutes; lift out.
Serve warm or let cool on wire racks. If made ahead, wrap cooled quiches airtight, and refrigerate overnight.
Reheat, uncovered, in a 350 degrees F. oven for about 10 minutes.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 95; Protein: 3 g; Sodium: 87 mg; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Fat: 7 g; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g
CRISPY RICE CRUST QUICHE
Yield: 4 servings
Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/9.shtml
View Recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/399.shtml
Ingredients
2 cups cooked brown rice (either instant or regular)
1 egg white or 2 tablespoons egg substitute
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Egg substitute equivalent to 4 eggs
2/3 cup low-fat milk
Pinch of nutmeg
1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1 large tomato, sliced
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the rice, egg white, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, pepper, and salt. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch nonstick pie plate (or a Pyrex pie plate sprayed with nonstick spray.) Bake the rice crust for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.
Combine the eggs, milk, nutmeg, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Pour into the rice crust. Lower the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake quiche for 25 minutes.
Add tomatoes in a circle on top of the egg filling. Continue to bake until filling is set or a knife inserted near the center comes out clean and tomatoes are slightly browned, about 5-6 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Protein: 16 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 490 mg; Cholesterol: 13 mg; Carbohydrates: 29; Exchanges: 2 Starch, 1 Lean Meat
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
Yield: 6 servings
Source: Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/12.shtml
Online Recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/620.shtml
Ingredients
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3-1/4 cups sliced mushrooms
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 (16 ounce) can low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Pinch freshly ground nutmeg
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup cornflake crumbs
1 pound frozen green beans,or 4 cups lightly steamed green beans
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil overlow heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Set aside. (This step may be done up to 2 days in advance; store, covered, in the refrigerator.)
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
In a large nonstick saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about4-5 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and garlic; continuecooking until the mushrooms release their juices, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms. Cook, stirring, 2-3 minutes, then gradually stir in the broth. Add the bayleaf, thyme, and nutmeg; simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in the sour cream, season with pepper, and remove the bay leaf. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the reserved onion topping with the cornflake crumbs, coating thoroughly. In a 2-quart baking dish, add green beans. Top with the sauce, then evenly scatter the onion mixture on top. Bake until bubbling, 20-25 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 155; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 268 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 25g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE
Yield: 8 servings
Source: Splenda
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1000.shtml
Ingredients
Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie
3 cups 1-inch rhubarb pieces or 1 package (16-ounces) frozen unsweetened rhubarb, thawed, undrained
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 cups sliced strawberries
1-2/3 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated*
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* May substitute 40 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork. Bake in preheated 375F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden. Cool on wire rack.
Cook rhubarb in large covered saucepan over medium heat 5 minutes or until rhubarb releases liquid. Combine water, flour, cornstarch and lemon juice. Stir into rhubarb. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened and rhubarb is almost tender, stirring frequently. Stir in strawberries. Cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Stir Equal and nutmeg into fruit mixture. Spoon into baked crust. Bake in 350F oven 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly. Cover edge of crust with aluminum foil if browning too quickly. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 175; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 64 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 fat
HERB-CRUSTED BROCCOLI
6 Servings
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/22.shtml
View: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/364.shtml
Ingredients
Butter-flavored vegetable cooking spray
2-4 tablespoons chopped pecans
1/4 cup dry unseasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried chervil leaves
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1-1/2 lb broccoli, cut into florets and stalks sliced, cooked
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Spray small skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Add pecans and spray with cooking spray; cook over medium heat until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add breadcrumbs, marjoram, and chervil to skillet; cook until crumbs are toasted, 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
Season broccoli with salt and pepper to taste; arrange in serving bowl. Spoon crumb mixture over broccoli.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 61; Protein: 3.7 g; Fat: 2.1 g; Sodium: 64 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 8.7 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
HERBED POLENTA
Yield: 4 to 6 Servings
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/271.shtml
Ingredients
Olive oil cooking spray
2 green onions and tops, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
2-1/2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable, or chicken broth
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute onions, garlic, and basil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add broth and heat to boiling; gradually stir in cornmeal and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
Pour polenta into lightly greased 8-inch cake pan; cool to room temperature. Refrigerate, lightly covered, until polenta is firm, 3 to 4 hours.
Spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cut polenta into wedges; cook in skillet over medium heat until browned, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 124; Protein: 2.5 g ; Fat: 1.3 g; Sodium: 309 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 22.4 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Fat
BACON AND MUSHROOM BITE-SIZE QUICHE
Found online at http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/844.shtml. The recipe starts with, "Tender, cheesy and savory custards in flaky pastry shells make elegant finger food-and can be made ahead and reheated. Delicious for brunch or evening appetizers." Makes 3-1/2 dozen; serving size: 1 quiche.
Ingredients
8 slices bacon
1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup green onion, chopped
1 2/3 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
Pastry for double-crust pie, (homemade or purchased)
5 eggs
1 2/3 cups sour cream
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
On a lightly floured board, roll out the pastry dough 1/ 16-inch thick.
Using a 3-inch cutter, cut out 42 circles; re-roll scraps as needed. Fit circles into bottoms and slightly up sides of lightly greased 2-1/2-inch muffin pans.
Meanwhile, fry bacon slices until crisp, drain; crumble or chop. Chop mushrooms, saute in butter until limp and liquid evaporates. Combine bacon, mushrooms, green onion and cheese. Divide filling equally among muffin cups.
In large bowl, beat together eggs, add sour cream and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1 tablespoon into each muffin cup. Bake until puffed and light brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 5 minutes; lift out.
Serve warm or let cool on wire racks. If made ahead, wrap cooled quiches airtight, and refrigerate overnight.
Reheat, uncovered, in a 350 degrees F. oven for about 10 minutes.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 95; Protein: 3 g; Sodium: 87 mg; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Fat: 7 g; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g
CRISPY RICE CRUST QUICHE
Yield: 4 servings
Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/9.shtml
View Recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/399.shtml
Ingredients
2 cups cooked brown rice (either instant or regular)
1 egg white or 2 tablespoons egg substitute
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Egg substitute equivalent to 4 eggs
2/3 cup low-fat milk
Pinch of nutmeg
1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1 large tomato, sliced
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the rice, egg white, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, pepper, and salt. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch nonstick pie plate (or a Pyrex pie plate sprayed with nonstick spray.) Bake the rice crust for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven.
Combine the eggs, milk, nutmeg, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Pour into the rice crust. Lower the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake quiche for 25 minutes.
Add tomatoes in a circle on top of the egg filling. Continue to bake until filling is set or a knife inserted near the center comes out clean and tomatoes are slightly browned, about 5-6 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Protein: 16 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 490 mg; Cholesterol: 13 mg; Carbohydrates: 29; Exchanges: 2 Starch, 1 Lean Meat
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
Yield: 6 servings
Source: Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/12.shtml
Online Recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/620.shtml
Ingredients
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3-1/4 cups sliced mushrooms
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 (16 ounce) can low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Pinch freshly ground nutmeg
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup cornflake crumbs
1 pound frozen green beans,or 4 cups lightly steamed green beans
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil overlow heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Set aside. (This step may be done up to 2 days in advance; store, covered, in the refrigerator.)
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
In a large nonstick saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about4-5 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and garlic; continuecooking until the mushrooms release their juices, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms. Cook, stirring, 2-3 minutes, then gradually stir in the broth. Add the bayleaf, thyme, and nutmeg; simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in the sour cream, season with pepper, and remove the bay leaf. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the reserved onion topping with the cornflake crumbs, coating thoroughly. In a 2-quart baking dish, add green beans. Top with the sauce, then evenly scatter the onion mixture on top. Bake until bubbling, 20-25 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 155; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 268 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 25g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE
Yield: 8 servings
Source: Splenda
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1000.shtml
Ingredients
Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie
3 cups 1-inch rhubarb pieces or 1 package (16-ounces) frozen unsweetened rhubarb, thawed, undrained
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 cups sliced strawberries
1-2/3 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated*
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* May substitute 40 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork. Bake in preheated 375F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden. Cool on wire rack.
Cook rhubarb in large covered saucepan over medium heat 5 minutes or until rhubarb releases liquid. Combine water, flour, cornstarch and lemon juice. Stir into rhubarb. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened and rhubarb is almost tender, stirring frequently. Stir in strawberries. Cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Stir Equal and nutmeg into fruit mixture. Spoon into baked crust. Bake in 350F oven 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly. Cover edge of crust with aluminum foil if browning too quickly. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 175; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 64 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 fat
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Wednesday Recipes
Here are today's six Wednesday recipes. Enjoy!
CHOCOLATE WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES
This yummy recipe comes from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network's hit show, Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 35 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 15 min; Yield: 40 to 48 cookies; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-white-chocolate-chunk-cookies-recipe3.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
2/3 cup good unsweetened cocoa
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds good white chocolate, coarsely chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well. Add the cocoa and mix again. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the chocolate with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Fold in the chopped white chocolate.
Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon. Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
KATHARINE HEPBURN'S BROWNIES
This came in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic. It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make. So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.” Time: about 45 minutes; makes 12 brownies
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.
LAZY CHICKEN
This recipe from Tablespoon.com's e-newsletter, begins, “A healthy one pot dish with summer vegetables and chicken. Serve this right from the pan...it's lazy chicken after all.” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 30 min; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken breasts, cut into one-inch cubes
2 red potatoes, sliced thinly
1 small white onion, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced into disks
1 -2 teaspoons steak seasoning
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed or diced tomatoes
10 basil leaves, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
Salt and pepper
Directions
In an oven safe skillet, sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and brown on medium high heat for a couple of minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Add olive oil to the pan. Layer the sliced potatoes and onions in the pan and sprinkle with half of the steak seasoning. Cook potatoes and onions in a thin layer until brown, turning as little as possible to get a nice sear.
Add chicken broth to the pan. Spread zucchini in a thin layer on top of the potatoes and onion. Sprinkle zucchini with the remaining steak seasoning.
Place chicken in an even layer over the zucchini. Pour tomatoes evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle tomatoes with the oregano and basil. Cover and cook until the veggies and chicken are completely done.
Sprinkle with cheese and place under the broiler until cheese melts or starts to brown. You could also just cover the pan with a lid on the stove to melt the cheese.
Serve right away.
BUTTERMILK ROAST CHICKEN
This came from Nigella Lawson in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Roast a chicken and you know you have a comfortable meal. Alter that a little by butterflying the chicken, a surprisingly simple task that can be carried out with a pair of kitchen scissors, and you have a quick dinner that carries with it the casual air of barbecue, without the bother. Here, buttermilk, which is usually associated with fried chicken, helps to tenderize the chicken and conveys the aromatics: you really get the full value of the rosemary, pepper and garlic. If you want to substitute maple syrup for the honey, you can. Best of all, you can leave the marinating bird in the fridge for up to two days; thus, it gets more tender and you know you have a dinner that needs no more than to be popped into the oven.” Makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 4-pound chicken
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns
1 tablespoon Maldon or other sea salt
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon honey
Preparation
Butterfly chicken by placing breast side down and using heavy-duty kitchen shears to cut along both sides of backbone. Discard backbone, turn chicken over and open it like a book. Press gently to flatten it.
Place chicken in a large freezer bag. Add buttermilk, 1/4 cup oil, garlic, peppercorns, salt, rosemary and honey. Seal bag securely and refrigerate overnight or up to two days.
Heat oven to 400 degrees.Remove chicken from marinade and place on a rack so excess can drip off. Line a roasting pan with foil and place chicken in pan. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Roast for 45 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 degrees. Continue roasting until well browned and until juices run clear when chicken is pierced where leg joins thigh,about another 20 minutes.
Place chicken on a carving board and allow to rest for 10 minutes before cutting into serving pieces. Place a portion on each of four plates, and drizzle each serving with pan juices.
MEZZI RIGATONI WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SPICY SAUSAGEbr />
This wonderful recipe is from Giada De Laurentiis, star of The Food Network's Giada At Home, and posted on The Today Show's cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Need to put dinner on the table but the fridge and pantry are looking scarce? You're in luck because Giada De Laurentiis has two delicious meals that only use five simple ingredients. Here, the celebrity chef is sharing two great five-ingredient recipes: mezzi rigatoni with butternut squash and spicy sausage, plus flat iron steak with piquillo pepper pesto.”
To view this online, go to http://www.today.com/recipes/mezzi-rigatoni-butternut-squash-spicy-sausage-t64641
Ingredients
1 pound mezzi rigatoni pasta
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons for finishing
1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/3 inch pieces
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 cups roughly chopped baby arugula
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until just al dente. Drain well reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon into bite sized pieces, until the sausage is cooked though. Add the diced squash to the pan and stir to combine. Add the water and season with the salt. Using the wooden spoon, make sure all of the squash is submerged. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the squash is tender and the liquid has reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and 3/4 cup parmesan. Stir vigorously to combine, breaking up the squash slightly as you go and thinning with pasta water as needed until the pasta is coated in a light and creamy sauce. Stir in the arugula and the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook just until the arugula is wilted. Serve topped with the remaining Parmesan.
PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE MUG CAKES
This comes from the Tablespoon e-newsletter, and starts off, “Mmmm, pumpkin! Transform this fall coffee-house favorite into a cake that can be baked in your microwave in just two minutes.” Prep Time: 4 min; Total Time: 7 min; Servings: 2
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
3 tablespoons brewed espresso coffee or very strong coffee, room temperature
1 tablespoon canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream, for serving
Ground cinnamon, for serving
Directions
In small bowl, beat melted butter, egg, espresso and pumpkin with whisk. Add the sugar, Bisquick mix, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Mix until incorporated; batter may be lumpy.
Divide batter between 2 microwavable mugs. Microwave uncovered on High 2 minutes. Cool a few minutes before serving.
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
CHOCOLATE WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES
This yummy recipe comes from Ina Garten, star of The Food Network's hit show, Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 35 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 15 min; Yield: 40 to 48 cookies; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-white-chocolate-chunk-cookies-recipe3.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs at room temperature
2/3 cup good unsweetened cocoa
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds good white chocolate, coarsely chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well. Add the cocoa and mix again. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the chocolate with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Fold in the chopped white chocolate.
Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon. Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
KATHARINE HEPBURN'S BROWNIES
This came in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic. It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make. So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.” Time: about 45 minutes; makes 12 brownies
To view this recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.
LAZY CHICKEN
This recipe from Tablespoon.com's e-newsletter, begins, “A healthy one pot dish with summer vegetables and chicken. Serve this right from the pan...it's lazy chicken after all.” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 30 min; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken breasts, cut into one-inch cubes
2 red potatoes, sliced thinly
1 small white onion, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced into disks
1 -2 teaspoons steak seasoning
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed or diced tomatoes
10 basil leaves, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
Salt and pepper
Directions
In an oven safe skillet, sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and brown on medium high heat for a couple of minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Add olive oil to the pan. Layer the sliced potatoes and onions in the pan and sprinkle with half of the steak seasoning. Cook potatoes and onions in a thin layer until brown, turning as little as possible to get a nice sear.
Add chicken broth to the pan. Spread zucchini in a thin layer on top of the potatoes and onion. Sprinkle zucchini with the remaining steak seasoning.
Place chicken in an even layer over the zucchini. Pour tomatoes evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle tomatoes with the oregano and basil. Cover and cook until the veggies and chicken are completely done.
Sprinkle with cheese and place under the broiler until cheese melts or starts to brown. You could also just cover the pan with a lid on the stove to melt the cheese.
Serve right away.
BUTTERMILK ROAST CHICKEN
This came from Nigella Lawson in a recent New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “Roast a chicken and you know you have a comfortable meal. Alter that a little by butterflying the chicken, a surprisingly simple task that can be carried out with a pair of kitchen scissors, and you have a quick dinner that carries with it the casual air of barbecue, without the bother. Here, buttermilk, which is usually associated with fried chicken, helps to tenderize the chicken and conveys the aromatics: you really get the full value of the rosemary, pepper and garlic. If you want to substitute maple syrup for the honey, you can. Best of all, you can leave the marinating bird in the fridge for up to two days; thus, it gets more tender and you know you have a dinner that needs no more than to be popped into the oven.” Makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 4-pound chicken
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
1 tablespoon crushed black peppercorns
1 tablespoon Maldon or other sea salt
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon honey
Preparation
Butterfly chicken by placing breast side down and using heavy-duty kitchen shears to cut along both sides of backbone. Discard backbone, turn chicken over and open it like a book. Press gently to flatten it.
Place chicken in a large freezer bag. Add buttermilk, 1/4 cup oil, garlic, peppercorns, salt, rosemary and honey. Seal bag securely and refrigerate overnight or up to two days.
Heat oven to 400 degrees.Remove chicken from marinade and place on a rack so excess can drip off. Line a roasting pan with foil and place chicken in pan. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Roast for 45 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 degrees. Continue roasting until well browned and until juices run clear when chicken is pierced where leg joins thigh,about another 20 minutes.
Place chicken on a carving board and allow to rest for 10 minutes before cutting into serving pieces. Place a portion on each of four plates, and drizzle each serving with pan juices.
MEZZI RIGATONI WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SPICY SAUSAGEbr />
This wonderful recipe is from Giada De Laurentiis, star of The Food Network's Giada At Home, and posted on The Today Show's cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Need to put dinner on the table but the fridge and pantry are looking scarce? You're in luck because Giada De Laurentiis has two delicious meals that only use five simple ingredients. Here, the celebrity chef is sharing two great five-ingredient recipes: mezzi rigatoni with butternut squash and spicy sausage, plus flat iron steak with piquillo pepper pesto.”
To view this online, go to http://www.today.com/recipes/mezzi-rigatoni-butternut-squash-spicy-sausage-t64641
Ingredients
1 pound mezzi rigatoni pasta
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons for finishing
1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/3 inch pieces
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 cups roughly chopped baby arugula
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until just al dente. Drain well reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon into bite sized pieces, until the sausage is cooked though. Add the diced squash to the pan and stir to combine. Add the water and season with the salt. Using the wooden spoon, make sure all of the squash is submerged. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the squash is tender and the liquid has reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and 3/4 cup parmesan. Stir vigorously to combine, breaking up the squash slightly as you go and thinning with pasta water as needed until the pasta is coated in a light and creamy sauce. Stir in the arugula and the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook just until the arugula is wilted. Serve topped with the remaining Parmesan.
PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE MUG CAKES
This comes from the Tablespoon e-newsletter, and starts off, “Mmmm, pumpkin! Transform this fall coffee-house favorite into a cake that can be baked in your microwave in just two minutes.” Prep Time: 4 min; Total Time: 7 min; Servings: 2
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
3 tablespoons brewed espresso coffee or very strong coffee, room temperature
1 tablespoon canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream, for serving
Ground cinnamon, for serving
Directions
In small bowl, beat melted butter, egg, espresso and pumpkin with whisk. Add the sugar, Bisquick mix, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Mix until incorporated; batter may be lumpy.
Divide batter between 2 microwavable mugs. Microwave uncovered on High 2 minutes. Cool a few minutes before serving.
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Tuesday Cast Iron Recipes
For years, I'd heard others gush over the joys of cast iron skillet, and wondered what all the fuss was about. Then, about a year or so ago, I broke down and bought one. Wow! If you're cooking anything that you might want a little bit of a crust on – veggie burgers (or hamburgers, if you're so inclined), corn bread, what-have-you – then nothing beats a cast iron skillet.
While wandering through TheKitchn's website, I found two extremely helpful articles dealing with cast iron skillets. The first one, titled “How To Season a Cast Iron Skillet”, shows how to season your cast iron skillet before using it. The second article, which is also extremely helpful, is titled “How to Restore a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet”.
There's also a third article to read through if you're wondering whether to buy a cast iron skillet, especially if you're worried about using one. I'd wondered if I could cook certain foods in a cast iron skillet, or how to use one. Check out “5 Myths of Cast Iron Cookware”. Finally, one last link to check out from The Kitchn: 35 Ways to Love Your Cast Iron Skillet. Tips and recipes for using your cast iron skillet.
And now for today's six recipes. Enjoy!
GNOCCHI SKILLET WITH CHICKEN SAUSAGE & TOMATOES
This comes from TheKitchn's website. Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
1 pound gnocchi
Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
9 ounces (about 3 links) cooked chicken sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick coins
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
1 to 2 ounces fresh basil, julienned (1/2 to 1 cup loosely packed)
Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling; cook the gnocchi for 2 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil.
Heat a 10-inch or larger cast iron skillet over medium heat with a light drizzle of olive oil. Add the sausage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it begins to brown. Push the sausage into a pile at the edge of the skillet and turn the heat up to high.
When the skillet is quite hot, add the tomatoes, skin down, crowding them in if necessary. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until they are blistered, then stir in with the sausage. Cook for 2 more minutes, until both tomatoes and sausage are slightly browned. Stir in gnocchi and cook just until all is combined, but the tomatoes have not broken down into sauce.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Any cooked chicken sausage is good in this dish, although I do prefer one with a little extra flavor added, like red peppers or garlic.
I specify a cast iron skillet because I think it gives the best color and sear to the tomatoes and sausage. However, any deep skillet or sauté pan should work as well, provided it doesn't have a nonstick coating, which will interfere with browning.
WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH ALMOND-HERB SAUCE
This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This striking dish has become a modern classic, as chefs around the world are working out new ways to push vegetables into the center of the plate. It makes a lovely vegetarian main course after a pasta intro, or a gorgeous side dish for lamb or fish. Omit the anchovies [see Note] in the sauce, and it becomes entirely vegetarian; replace the butter with more olive oil, and it turns vegan. Try using pale orange, green or purple cauliflower, or a head of spiky, psychedelic Romanesco. Carve it at the table, just like a roast, for maximum impact.”
Note: I've omitted the anchovies in the ingredient list...Never liked 'em. Since they were listed as optional, I've left them out. If you want to check out the recipe with the anchovies included, you can follow the link (posted in just a minute...) and view it there.
Time for this recipe is about 2 hours; makes 2 main course servings, or 4 to 6 side dish servings. To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
FOR THE CAULIFLOWER:
1 large cauliflower
Olive oil
Salt
FOR THE SAUCE:
1/3 cup blanched almonds
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for basting
2 teaspoons wine vinegar (white or red), more to taste
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley, mint, tarragon, cilantro or a combination
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat the oven while you prepare the cauliflower: Place a heavy oven-proof skillet (a cast-iron skillet looks very nice) or a baking sheet in the oven and turn the heat to 375 degrees. Place a small pan of hot water on the floor of the oven, to create steam.
Break off and discard the outer leaves from the cauliflower. Cut off the bottom of the stem, and then use the tip of a small, sharp knife to cut off the leaves close to the stem. Carefully cut out the hard core of the cauliflower, near the bottom. Leave the main stem intact and make sure not to cut through any of the florets.
Rinse the cauliflower (leave the water clinging to the outside) and place on a work surface, core side up. Drizzle with olive oil and use your hands to rub over the cauliflower until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt.
Place the cauliflower on the hot pan in the oven, core side down, and cook until very tender all the way through when pierced with a knife, at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. During the cooking, baste 2 or 3 times with more olive oil. It should brown nicely. If you have a convection feature, use it toward the end of baking to brown the crust.
Make the sauce: In a small frying pan, toast nuts over low heat, shaking often, just until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
In a food processor, combine almonds, garlic and butter and pulse until smooth. Mix in oil, then vinegar. Mix in herbs and red pepper flakes, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
When cauliflower is tender, remove from the oven. (If desired, run it briefly under the broiler first to brown the surface; there is no need to do this if you used convection.)
Serve cauliflower in the skillet or from a serving plate. Cut into wedges and spoon sauce around each wedge.
8-INGREDIENT STUFFED PEPPER SKILLET
This comes from Layers of Happiness, a site to “inspire you to live a happier and healthier lifestyle,” according Emily, half of the mother-daughter blogger team who run the site. Check out their site and recipes!
This recipe begins, “Only 8-ingredients in this quic and easy one-pot skillet dinner will feed an entire family in about 15 minutes no problem! This lazy stuffed peppers recipe is plate-lickin' good and will satisfy your comfort food hunger in big time!” Yields 6 servings; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes.
To view this online, go to http://www.layersofhappiness.com/8-ingredient-stuffed-pepper-skillet/.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup cooked rice
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions:
Place a large skillet with a over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, add ground beef and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking into small pieces as it browns.
Add onions and bell peppers in with beef; stir to combine. Once the peppers have started to soften and the onions are translucent, carefully drain excess grease from skillet. Season with salt and pepper.
Return to stove reducing heat to medium. Stir in diced tomatoes with juice, tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, and cooked brown rice. If the mixture is too thick, add up to 1 cup of water, until mixture reaches desired consistency.
Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and replace the lid. Cook until cheese is melted. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
CHICKEN POTPIE
This comes from CountryLiving, and begins, “Prepared with store-bought pie dough and shredded rotisserie chicken, this hearty meal can be on the table in an hour flat.” Total Time: 1 hour; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Level: Moderate; Serves: 8.
To view this online, go to http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a3352/skillet-chicken-potpie-recipe/.
Ingredients
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 medium onion
4 medium carrots
2 stalk celery
2 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 tbsp. heavy cream
2 c. chicken broth
4 c. shredded cooked chicken
1 c. frozen peas
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill
1 store-bought piecrust
1 Egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook until carrots begin to soften, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in flour. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and broth, using a whisk, until combined. Stir in chicken, peas, and dill and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
Gently roll out store-bought pie crust until it reaches 12 inches in diameter. Place dough atop chicken mixture and brush with egg; cut vents in pastry. Transfer skillet to oven; bake until crust is browned and flaky, about 35 minutes.
CHEDDAR-TARAGON CORNBREAD
This also comes from CountryLiving, and begins, “Use your cast-iron skillet to make this Cheddar cheese- and tarragon-laced cornbread.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Moderate: Yield: 6 slices.
To view this online, go to http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a3349/cheddar-tarragon-cornbread-recipe/.
Ingredients
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. yellow cornmeal
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
1 c. Buttermilk
2 large eggs
4 oz. sharp Cheddar
1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar; set aside.
Place butter in a 9-inch cast-iron skillet; set in oven until butter melts and begins to brown. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Remove skillet from oven and pour melted butter into buttermilk mixture; whisk to combine and add in Cheddar and tarragon.
Stir buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients until just combined. Pour into hot skillet and return to oven. Bake until skewer inserted into center tests clean, about 20 minutes.
DEEP-DISH SKILLET PIZZA
This comes from page 37 of the February 2009 issue of
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/deep-dish-skillet-pizza/.
Dough
1 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 pkg. dry yeast (1/4 oz.)
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. flax meal or ground flaxseed
2 tsp. olive oil
3/4 tsp. salt
Topping
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
8 cups loosely packed kale
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. ground fennel seed
2 Tbs. Neufchâtel cheese (2 oz.)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (4 oz.)
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 Tbs. chopped fresh oregano or basil
To make Dough: Dissolve brown sugar in 1/2 cup warm water in large bowl. Stir in yeast, and let stand 5 minutes, or until liquid is cloudy and bubbly. Stir in whole-wheat flour, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, flax meal, oil, and salt. Knead 2 minutes while adding 1/4 cup flour. Oil separate bowl, and turn dough in oil to coat. Cover, and let rise in warm spot until dough doubles in size, about 45 minutes.
To make Topping: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, and sauté 2 minutes. Add kale, cover, and cook 15 minutes, or until kale is softened, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and fennel seed, and cook 7 to 10 minutes more, or until all liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat, and stir in Neufchâtel cheese.
Preheat oven to 475°F. Oil bottom and sides of 12-inch cast iron skillet. With floured hands, pat and stretch Dough over bottom and halfway up sides of skillet. Let dough rest 5 minutes. Spread kale mixture on dough; scatter feta cheese, tomatoes, and oregano on top. Place skillet directly on oven floor, and bake 15 minutes. Remove carefully from oven, and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 274; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 24 mg; Sodium: 566 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 4 g
While wandering through TheKitchn's website, I found two extremely helpful articles dealing with cast iron skillets. The first one, titled “How To Season a Cast Iron Skillet”, shows how to season your cast iron skillet before using it. The second article, which is also extremely helpful, is titled “How to Restore a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet”.
There's also a third article to read through if you're wondering whether to buy a cast iron skillet, especially if you're worried about using one. I'd wondered if I could cook certain foods in a cast iron skillet, or how to use one. Check out “5 Myths of Cast Iron Cookware”. Finally, one last link to check out from The Kitchn: 35 Ways to Love Your Cast Iron Skillet. Tips and recipes for using your cast iron skillet.
And now for today's six recipes. Enjoy!
GNOCCHI SKILLET WITH CHICKEN SAUSAGE & TOMATOES
This comes from TheKitchn's website. Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
1 pound gnocchi
Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
9 ounces (about 3 links) cooked chicken sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick coins
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
1 to 2 ounces fresh basil, julienned (1/2 to 1 cup loosely packed)
Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling; cook the gnocchi for 2 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil.
Heat a 10-inch or larger cast iron skillet over medium heat with a light drizzle of olive oil. Add the sausage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it begins to brown. Push the sausage into a pile at the edge of the skillet and turn the heat up to high.
When the skillet is quite hot, add the tomatoes, skin down, crowding them in if necessary. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until they are blistered, then stir in with the sausage. Cook for 2 more minutes, until both tomatoes and sausage are slightly browned. Stir in gnocchi and cook just until all is combined, but the tomatoes have not broken down into sauce.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Any cooked chicken sausage is good in this dish, although I do prefer one with a little extra flavor added, like red peppers or garlic.
I specify a cast iron skillet because I think it gives the best color and sear to the tomatoes and sausage. However, any deep skillet or sauté pan should work as well, provided it doesn't have a nonstick coating, which will interfere with browning.
WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH ALMOND-HERB SAUCE
This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This striking dish has become a modern classic, as chefs around the world are working out new ways to push vegetables into the center of the plate. It makes a lovely vegetarian main course after a pasta intro, or a gorgeous side dish for lamb or fish. Omit the anchovies [see Note] in the sauce, and it becomes entirely vegetarian; replace the butter with more olive oil, and it turns vegan. Try using pale orange, green or purple cauliflower, or a head of spiky, psychedelic Romanesco. Carve it at the table, just like a roast, for maximum impact.”
Note: I've omitted the anchovies in the ingredient list...Never liked 'em. Since they were listed as optional, I've left them out. If you want to check out the recipe with the anchovies included, you can follow the link (posted in just a minute...) and view it there.
Time for this recipe is about 2 hours; makes 2 main course servings, or 4 to 6 side dish servings. To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
FOR THE CAULIFLOWER:
1 large cauliflower
Olive oil
Salt
FOR THE SAUCE:
1/3 cup blanched almonds
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for basting
2 teaspoons wine vinegar (white or red), more to taste
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley, mint, tarragon, cilantro or a combination
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat the oven while you prepare the cauliflower: Place a heavy oven-proof skillet (a cast-iron skillet looks very nice) or a baking sheet in the oven and turn the heat to 375 degrees. Place a small pan of hot water on the floor of the oven, to create steam.
Break off and discard the outer leaves from the cauliflower. Cut off the bottom of the stem, and then use the tip of a small, sharp knife to cut off the leaves close to the stem. Carefully cut out the hard core of the cauliflower, near the bottom. Leave the main stem intact and make sure not to cut through any of the florets.
Rinse the cauliflower (leave the water clinging to the outside) and place on a work surface, core side up. Drizzle with olive oil and use your hands to rub over the cauliflower until evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt.
Place the cauliflower on the hot pan in the oven, core side down, and cook until very tender all the way through when pierced with a knife, at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. During the cooking, baste 2 or 3 times with more olive oil. It should brown nicely. If you have a convection feature, use it toward the end of baking to brown the crust.
Make the sauce: In a small frying pan, toast nuts over low heat, shaking often, just until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
In a food processor, combine almonds, garlic and butter and pulse until smooth. Mix in oil, then vinegar. Mix in herbs and red pepper flakes, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
When cauliflower is tender, remove from the oven. (If desired, run it briefly under the broiler first to brown the surface; there is no need to do this if you used convection.)
Serve cauliflower in the skillet or from a serving plate. Cut into wedges and spoon sauce around each wedge.
8-INGREDIENT STUFFED PEPPER SKILLET
This comes from Layers of Happiness, a site to “inspire you to live a happier and healthier lifestyle,” according Emily, half of the mother-daughter blogger team who run the site. Check out their site and recipes!
This recipe begins, “Only 8-ingredients in this quic and easy one-pot skillet dinner will feed an entire family in about 15 minutes no problem! This lazy stuffed peppers recipe is plate-lickin' good and will satisfy your comfort food hunger in big time!” Yields 6 servings; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes.
To view this online, go to http://www.layersofhappiness.com/8-ingredient-stuffed-pepper-skillet/.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup cooked rice
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions:
Place a large skillet with a over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, add ground beef and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking into small pieces as it browns.
Add onions and bell peppers in with beef; stir to combine. Once the peppers have started to soften and the onions are translucent, carefully drain excess grease from skillet. Season with salt and pepper.
Return to stove reducing heat to medium. Stir in diced tomatoes with juice, tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, and cooked brown rice. If the mixture is too thick, add up to 1 cup of water, until mixture reaches desired consistency.
Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and replace the lid. Cook until cheese is melted. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
CHICKEN POTPIE
This comes from CountryLiving, and begins, “Prepared with store-bought pie dough and shredded rotisserie chicken, this hearty meal can be on the table in an hour flat.” Total Time: 1 hour; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Level: Moderate; Serves: 8.
To view this online, go to http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a3352/skillet-chicken-potpie-recipe/.
Ingredients
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 medium onion
4 medium carrots
2 stalk celery
2 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 tbsp. heavy cream
2 c. chicken broth
4 c. shredded cooked chicken
1 c. frozen peas
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill
1 store-bought piecrust
1 Egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook until carrots begin to soften, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in flour. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream and broth, using a whisk, until combined. Stir in chicken, peas, and dill and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
Gently roll out store-bought pie crust until it reaches 12 inches in diameter. Place dough atop chicken mixture and brush with egg; cut vents in pastry. Transfer skillet to oven; bake until crust is browned and flaky, about 35 minutes.
CHEDDAR-TARAGON CORNBREAD
This also comes from CountryLiving, and begins, “Use your cast-iron skillet to make this Cheddar cheese- and tarragon-laced cornbread.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Moderate: Yield: 6 slices.
To view this online, go to http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a3349/cheddar-tarragon-cornbread-recipe/.
Ingredients
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. yellow cornmeal
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
1 c. Buttermilk
2 large eggs
4 oz. sharp Cheddar
1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar; set aside.
Place butter in a 9-inch cast-iron skillet; set in oven until butter melts and begins to brown. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Remove skillet from oven and pour melted butter into buttermilk mixture; whisk to combine and add in Cheddar and tarragon.
Stir buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients until just combined. Pour into hot skillet and return to oven. Bake until skewer inserted into center tests clean, about 20 minutes.
DEEP-DISH SKILLET PIZZA
This comes from page 37 of the February 2009 issue of
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/deep-dish-skillet-pizza/.
Dough
1 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 pkg. dry yeast (1/4 oz.)
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. flax meal or ground flaxseed
2 tsp. olive oil
3/4 tsp. salt
Topping
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
8 cups loosely packed kale
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. ground fennel seed
2 Tbs. Neufchâtel cheese (2 oz.)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (4 oz.)
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 Tbs. chopped fresh oregano or basil
To make Dough: Dissolve brown sugar in 1/2 cup warm water in large bowl. Stir in yeast, and let stand 5 minutes, or until liquid is cloudy and bubbly. Stir in whole-wheat flour, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, flax meal, oil, and salt. Knead 2 minutes while adding 1/4 cup flour. Oil separate bowl, and turn dough in oil to coat. Cover, and let rise in warm spot until dough doubles in size, about 45 minutes.
To make Topping: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, and sauté 2 minutes. Add kale, cover, and cook 15 minutes, or until kale is softened, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and fennel seed, and cook 7 to 10 minutes more, or until all liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat, and stir in Neufchâtel cheese.
Preheat oven to 475°F. Oil bottom and sides of 12-inch cast iron skillet. With floured hands, pat and stretch Dough over bottom and halfway up sides of skillet. Let dough rest 5 minutes. Spread kale mixture on dough; scatter feta cheese, tomatoes, and oregano on top. Place skillet directly on oven floor, and bake 15 minutes. Remove carefully from oven, and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 274; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 24 mg; Sodium: 566 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 4 g
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