Confessions of a Foodie

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Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Mexican Recipes

If you love Mexican food, you're sure to find something in today's post to love. Today's offerings include Mexican Lasagna and Corny Green Enchiladas. Enjoy!

SIMPLE PERFECT ENCHILADAS

This is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman.

Total: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Sauce:

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

One 28-ounce can enchilada or Mexican red sauce

2 cups chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Meat:

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

The Rest:

Canola oil, for frying

10 to 14 corn tortillas

Two 4-ounce cans diced green chilies

1 cup chopped green onions

1/2 cup chopped black olives

3 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Cilantro, for garnish

Directions

For the sauce:

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the canola oil and flour. Whisk together and allow to bubble for 1 minute. Pour in the red sauce, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.

For the meat:

While the sauce is simmering, brown the ground beef with the onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the fat, add the salt and stir to combine. Turn off the heat and set aside.

For the rest:

In a small skillet over medium heat, heat some canola oil. Lightly fry the tortillas just until soft. Do not crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat until all the tortillas have been fried.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Next, one at a time, dip each tortilla into the sauce. Set the sauce-soaked tortilla on a plate. Place on some of the meat mixture, chilies, green onions and black olives. Top with a generous portion of grated Cheddar. Roll up the tortilla to contain the filling inside.

Place the tortilla seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas and pour the remaining sauce over the top. End with a generous sprinkling of cheese and any other bits of chiles, green onions or olives you have left over from the filling.

Bake the enchiladas for 20 minutes, or until bubbly. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top and serve.

BUFFALO CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

This tasty recipe is from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “Rotisserie chicken is the time-saving secret to this mash-up of two crowd-pleasing foods. Stuff corn tortillas with a cheesy buffalo filling and bake until melted for an easy weeknight meal or game day snack that's ready in a half hour.”

Total Time: 30 minutes; Active Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan

4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

2 cups shredded Cheddar

1 cup hot sauce, plus more for serving, such as Frank's

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

16 corn tortillas

2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

2 tablespoons blue cheese dressing

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Mix the chicken, cream cheese, 1 cup of the Cheddar, 1/3 cup of the hot sauce, white parts of the scallions and cumin in a large bowl until well combined. Stir together the butter, remaining 2/3 cup hot sauce and 3 tablespoons water in a medium bowl.

Microwave the tortillas in batches until warm, softened and foldable, about 30 seconds. Keep warm between damp paper towels.

Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla and roll up. Place them side by side, seam-side down, in the prepared pan. Pour the hot sauce mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup Cheddar and the blue cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 15 to 17 minutes.

Drizzle the blue cheese dressing over the enchiladas and sprinkle with the scallion greens. Serve with more hot sauce.

CORNY GREEN ENCHILADAS

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 4; Preparation time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

12 corn tortillas

1 can of fiesta corn (drained)

1 can of black beans (drained)

1 can of green enchilada sauce

2 cups of vegan cheese

2 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

Directions:

This is a layered casserole. You can vary the layers to your liking.

Mix the spices with your enchilada sauce and stir until well incorporated. Taste the enchilada sauce to see if it needs salt. Normally the canned sauce is seasoned very well.

Using a casserole dish, layer the ingredients, starting with 1/4 of sauce on the bottom. Layer sauce, tortillas (torn or whole), corn, beans and vegan cheese. Continue layering and end with a layer of tortillas and then sauce.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of vegan cheese over the top and cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until it starts to bubble. Remove the foil the last 5-10 minutes to let the vegan cheese brown.

Serve with a salad, salsa and smoothie! Good eats!

MEXICAN LASAGNA

This comes from Rachael Ray, star of The Food Network show 30 Minute Meals.

Total: 30 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this recipe online, click here.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 pounds ground chicken breast, available in the packaged meats case

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained

1 cup medium heat taco sauce or 1 (14-oz) can stewed or fire roasted tomatoes

1 cup frozen corn kernels

Salt

8 (8 inch) spinach flour tortillas, available on dairy aisle of market

2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or shredded pepper jack

2 scallions, finely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - twice around the pan. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin, and red onion. Brown the meat, 5 minutes. Add taco sauce or stewed or fire roasted tomatoes. Add black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 minutes then season with salt, to your taste.

Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 tablespoon oil. Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer with. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese again. Bake lasagna 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with the scallions and serve.

MEXICAN CHICKEN CHOWDER

This comes from Tbsp., and begins, “Fill up the freezer with this easy Mexican twist on chowder that comes together fast and heats up in a hurry.”

Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 5

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

1 lb red potatoes, unpeeled, diced (3 cups)

1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned or frozen)

1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1 green onion, thinly sliced, whites only

1 tablespoon seeded and finely chopped jalapeño chile

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced (14 oz)

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix

1 container (32 oz) Progresso™ chicken broth

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

In medium bowl, mix butter and flour. Add potatoes, corn, bell pepper, green onion and jalapeño chile; stir. In another medium bowl, mix chicken and taco seasoning mix.

In 4-quart saucepan, mix broth, vegetable mixture and chicken mixture. Heat to simmering over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook uncovered 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center and potatoes are tender. Stir in whipping cream; return to simmering. Top with cilantro.

To freeze: In medium bowl, mix butter and flour. Add potatoes, corn, bell pepper, green onion and jalapeño chile; stir. Transfer to 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. In another 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag, mix chicken and taco seasoning mix. Freeze up to 3 months. When ready to serve: In 4-quart saucepan, mix broth, frozen vegetable mixture and frozen chicken mixture. Heat to simmering over high heat, stirring occasionally to break up frozen mixtures. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook uncovered 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center and potatoes are tender. Stir in whipping cream; return to simmering. Top with cilantro.

TORTILLA LASAGNA

This is from the January/February 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 48. It begins, "This easy, crowd-pleasing dish is also a kid favorite. Toasting the tortillas before building the lasagna keeps them from getting soggy as the dish bakes. Feel free to mix things up with different beans, cheeses, or vegetables between the layers." Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

6 8-inch fat-free flour tortillas

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)

2 Tbs. chili powder

2 tsp. ancho chile powder

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

2 cups strained tomatoes, such as Pomì, divided

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 medium chayote, peeled and diced, or 2 medium zucchini, diced (1 1/2 cups)

1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast tortillas on 2 baking sheets in oven 5 minutes, or until light brown, turning once.

Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until soft. Stir in chili powder, ancho chile powder, and garlic, and cook 30 seconds. Add 11/2 cups strained tomatoes, beans, chayote, corn, and 1/2 cup water, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and cook 10 minutes, or until chayote is tender.

Coat 2-inch-deep x 8-inch round baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/4 cup strained tomatoes in bottom of pan. Set 1 toasted tortilla in pan; top with 3/4 cup bean mixture and 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layering 4 more times. Top with last tortilla, and spread remaining 1/4 cup strained tomatoes over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly and cheese has melted. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into 8 wedges.

nutritional information Per Wedge: Calories: 226; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Cholesterol: 19 mg; Sodium: 506 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 4 g

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Lemons - Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double post is filled with lemony goodness, including Lemon Meringue Tart and Lemony Roasted Chicken Wings. Enjoy!

LEMON CHICKEN TARRAGON

This recipe is from Family Time, and begins, “A restaurant-style dish in just 30 minutes? You bet...this tasty skillet dish is simply amazing!”

Serves: 4 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Vegetable Oil or 1 tablespoon olive oil

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound)

2 cups water

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

2 tablespoons Lemon juice

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves, crushed

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups uncooked instant white rice

Directions

Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until well browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet.

Stir the water, soup, lemon juice, tarragon and black pepper in the skillet and heat to a boil.

Stir in the rice. Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.

LEMONY ROASTED CHICKEN WINGS

This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “These meaty out-of-the-ordinary roasted wings are infused with lots of lemon, garlic and rosemary, then roasted on a bed of fingerling potatoes. Use a large roasting pan that's at least 3 inches deep, or a big earthenware gratin dish, or a couple of Pyrex lasagna pans side by side. The lemony chicken and potatoes are delicious hot and crisp, but just as good at cool room temperature.”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 1 1/2 hours.

This was featured in “Lemony Chicken Wings, Soaring Above the Rest”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

2 pounds very small potatoes, such as fingerlings, whole, or use medium-size yellow-fleshed potatoes, cut in halves or wedges)

3 pounds chicken wings, preferably drumettes

Salt and pepper

Red pepper flakes, to taste

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

6 small lemons, cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moon slices

6 large rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped

8 garlic cloves, minced, or 1/2 cup chopped green garlic shoots

1 cup dry white or rosé wine

Pinch of dried oregano (optional)

Preparation

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse potatoes with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Spread chicken wings out on a baking sheet or cutting board in a single layer. Season both sides of wings generously with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle with red-pepper flakes as desired.

Transfer seasoned wings to a large bowl. Add olive oil, lemon slices, rosemary and garlic and toss well with (plastic-gloved) hands so everything is evenly coated.

Place potatoes on the bottom of a roasting pan. Arrange seasoned wings over potatoes in a single layer. Add wine and cover pan tightly with foil.

Bake, covered, for about 45 minutes, until potatoes are done. Remove foil and return the pan to the oven and bake about 20 minutes more, until wings are nicely browned. Using tongs, turn wings over and bake for another 20 minutes to brown the wings’ other side. Sprinkle with dried oregano, and serve hot or at room temperature.

LEMON-ALMOND BUTTER CAKE

This was in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “This buttery almond cake with lemon curd baked inside is like the ultimate citrus tart, without the heartbreak of pie crust. It's fancy enough to be served as a dinner party dessert, yet substantial enough to be served with Sunday brunch. (Bonus: you'll have several tablespoons of lemon curd left over. It's delicious on toast or pancakes.)”

Yield: 8 servings; Time: 2 hours 30 minutes, plus cooling time.

This was featured in “Not The Usual Chef On The Shelf” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Lemon Curd:

Grated zest and juice of 2 lemons

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

4 extra-large eggs

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

For the Cake:

9 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour

1 cup plus 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 extra-large eggs

1/2 cup ground toasted almonds

2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds

About 1/2 cup heavy cream for garnish

1 tablespoon almond liqueur (optional)

Preparation

For the curd, combine zest, juice, sugar and eggs in a heatproof bowl, and beat well. Add butter, and place over a saucepan full of simmering water. Cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until mixture thickens into curd, about 5 minutes. Strain into a bowl, and press plastic wrap onto surface to keep skin from forming.

Refrigerate until cool, at least 1 1/2 hours.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9-inch spring-form pan with 1 tablespoon butter, and dust with 1 tablespoon flour, shaking out excess.

With an electric mixer, cream the remaining butter and 1 cup sugar together until light and fluffy. Sift together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt, and stir in. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until they start to foam. Do not overbeat or the cake will be tough. Add eggs and ground almonds to batter, and mix well.

Scrape batter into the prepared pan. Drop 8 individual tablespoons lemon curd around perimeter of batter, leaving a 1-inch border, and taking care to space drops evenly. Drop 3 to 4 tablespoons curd into center of batter. Refrigerate remaining curd for another use. Sprinkle cake with toasted almonds and 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, depending on taste.

Bake until cake is toasty brown on top and a toothpick inserted into cake (not curd) comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool on rack 10 minutes, then remove sides of pan, and cool completely.

Whip cream with almond liqueur. Present cake at table, and offer whipped cream on the side.

LEMON MERINGUE TART

This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “The celebrated pastry chef Dolester Miles learned to bake in a small town called Bessemer, outside Birmingham, Ala. She took the tastes of Southern desserts passed down from her mother and her aunt, and elevated them with fine-dining technique she has picked up in her more than 30 years at the Birmingham restaurants Highlands Bar & Grill, Chez Fonfon and Bottega Café. This lemon meringue tart, reminiscent of a Southern icebox cake but with a French feel, is a perfect example. She stirs in white chocolate to give the curd a luscious mouth feel, and finishes it with a drift of soft Swiss meringue toasted with a blowtorch. A few seconds under the broiler will work, too. She cautions cooks never to take their eyes off the tart during that final step. ‘It’ll get away from you fast,’ she said.”

Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling and freezing.

This was featured in “An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Tart:1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cubed

2 egg yolks

For the Filling and Meringue:4 large eggs

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

Zest from 2 lemons

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into large pieces

4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped

Preparation

In the bowl of a food processor, place flour, confectioners’ sugar and salt, and quickly pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs, then add egg yolks and pulse until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch, then transfer it into a 9 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan, then trim it by rolling your rolling pin over the top of the tart pan edge. Pierce crust all over with a fork and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer, place tart pan on a baking sheet, and bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Remove tart from baking sheet and let pan cool slightly on a rack.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Separate the eggs, saving 3 of the whites to use in the meringue. In a small saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup/101 grams sugar, the lemon zest and juice and the egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until quite warm. Stir in butter and continue to cook, whisking to prevent burning, for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick. Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate until it melts into the mixture.

Pour lemon mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl and use a spatula to press until just the solids remain. Discard the solids. Spoon mixture into the prepared tart shell and chill for 4 hours.

Make the meringue: Set up a double boiler and bring the water in the bottom pan to a boil over medium-high heat. Combine the 3 egg whites with 3/4 cup/151 grams sugar in the top of the double boiler and whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.

Pour the meringue mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip at medium-high speed for about 2 minutes then increase speed to high and whip for about 4 to 6 minutes more or until the mixture is stiff. Spoon meringue over tart and spread with an offset spatula.

Using a kitchen torch, brown the meringue lightly, holding the torch about 2 inches away from the tart. Alternatively, place tart under a preheated broiler with the oven rack placed 8 inches from the heat source. Broil 30 to 45 seconds, watching carefully so the meringue turns golden brown and does not burn. Remove tart ring and serve immediately.

BANANA MUFFINS WITH TART LEMON ICING

This was on an old Weight Watcher's emailing list. Unfortunately, I no longer have a link to it, as WW has changed enough over the years. The points value is from when the email came out.

The recipe begins, “If the mouth-puckering lemon icing isn’t enough flavor for you, try adding 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to the flour mixture.”

POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 18; Preparation Time: 15 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided

1 large egg(s)

2 tsp vanilla extract, divided

2 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup fat-free skim milk

4 large banana(s), ripe, mashed

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest, strips, or more to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 18 muffin holes with paper liners.

Place sugar and 5 tablespoons of butter in a large bowl; cream with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla; beat until thoroughly mixed.

In another large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add half of flour mixture to butter mixture; beat well with mixer. Add milk and remaining flour mixture; beat until batter is combined and then fold in mashed bananas.

Spoon batter into muffin liners about 3/4 full. Bake until muffins start to brown and a tester inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Allow muffins to cool in pan for about 2 minutes; remove to a wire rack and cool completely before icing.

Meanwhile, to make icing, combine powdered sugar, remaining tablespoon of butter, lemon juice, zest, and remaining teaspoon of vanilla in a medium bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Ice cooled muffins; cover and refrigerate any uneaten muffins. Yields 1 muffin per serving.

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 8

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/lemon-meringue-pie

Ingredients

For Pie Filling:

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

2-1/4 cups water

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice or frozen lemon juice concentrate*

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1-1/2 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated**

2 tablespoons stick butter or margarine

1 to 2 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

For Meringue:

3 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon cream tartar

2/3 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated***

* Such as Minute Maid Premium Lemon juice (frozen) 100% Pure Lemon Juice from Concentrate

** May substitute 36 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Pie Filling, 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 425F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden. Cool on wire rack.

Combine water, lemon juice and cornstarch in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Beat eggs, 2 egg whites and lemon peel in medium bowl. Mix in 1-1/2 cups Equal. Stir about half of hot cornstarch mixture into egg mixture.

Return all to saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted. Stir in food coloring, if desired. Pour mixture over baked pie shell.

For Meringue, beat 3 egg whites in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until foamy. Add cream of tartar. Beat to soft peaks. Gradually beat in 2/3 cup Equal, beating to stiff peaks. Spread meringue over hot lemon filling, carefully sealing to edge of crust to prevent shrinking or weeping.

Bake pie in 425F oven about 5 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.

Cool completely on wire rack. Cut pie into wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 178; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 133 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 fat

Taco Tuesday

It's Tuesday - time for another round of Taco Tuesday recipes.

I seldom (if ever) had tacos when I was growing up. (OMG! Really? Yup.) It wasn't until we moved to Florida when I was 17 that Mom decided to try fixing tacos for dinner. At that time, it involved hard taco shells (as opposed to the soft ones), warmed up, then brought to the table where my brother, sister, and I would fill them with whatever we felt like adding to them. This was, of course, as long as what we wanted involved ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce, and/or shredded cheese.

Years later, I would watch as someone I knew filled taco shells with peanut butter and mustard (yes, together!), along with anything else that hit his fancy at the moment.

Well, tacos have evolved into a lot more than the hamburger/tomatoes/lettuce/cheese concoction (though this is perfectly fine - just make sure I've got tofu crumbles in place of the hamburger), and a lot more appealing than the peanut-butter-and-mustard tacos of that certain someone. Peanut butter? Okay, maybe. Mustard? Fine. Together? Hmmm...not so much.

Here are today's six taco recipes to help you through the day, including Easy Green Chile Chicken Tacos and Spicy Turkey Tacos, and not one of them involves mixing peanut butter and mustard together. Enjoy!

CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes; Serves: 8 people

To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/cheesy-taco-meatloaf/.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa - Mild or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium

1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

1 egg

1 teaspoon chili powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.

Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.

Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

SPICY TURKEY TACOS

This is from Judy Kim on Delish and begins, “Thought ground turkey was blah? Think again.”

According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” Check out both Delish and The Judy Lab.

Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 hard corn taco shells

1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 lb. ground turkey

4 tsp. Mexican seasoning

1 tsp. cayenne pepper

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, diced

1 c. crushed tomatoes

1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

1 c. grated mozzarella

1 c. Pico de Gallo

1 c. sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Place taco shells on a sheet pan.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and add ground turkey; brown while breaking up with a wooden spoon. Season with Mexican seasoning, cayenne, salt and pepper.

Add garlic and onions; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and cilantro and stir until warmed through. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.

Just before serving, bake taco shells until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Spoon spicy turkey mixture into taco shells and top with mozzarella, pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.

EDAMAME TACOS WITH PEANUT SAUCE

This yummy recipe comes from Alissa, whose blog, Connoisseurus Veg, looks really fantastic.

Alissa wrote, “These crunchy edamame tacos are filled with a blend of tender cilantro-lime seasoned soybeans, fresh greens and Thai peanut sauce,” adding, “Mexican-Thai-Japanese fusion at its finest.”

Serves 4; Prep Times: 5 min; Cook Time: 10 min; Total Time: 15.

To view this on Alissa’s blog, click here.

Ingredients

For Peanut Sauce

1/4 cup natural peanut butter

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. maple syrup or agave

1-2 tbsp. water

For the Edamame Tacos

1 tbsp. canola oil (or other neutral-flavored vegetable oil)

1 medium onion, diced

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cooked, shelled edamame

1 1/2 tbsp. lime juice

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 scallions, chopped

about 2 cups baby spinach, arugula or spring mix

8 taco shells, preferably homemade

Instructions

Make the Peanut Sauce

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl, adding as much water as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Make the Edamame Tacos

Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and edamame. Continue to sauté until edamame begin to brown in spots, about another 5 minutes.

Add lime juice and salt. Sauté another 30 seconds and remove from heat.

Add cilantro and scallions. Mix well.

Divide mixture among taco shells and top with greens and peanut sauce.

EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS

This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.

For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?

“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.

“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”

Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 cloves garlic

1 fresh jalapeno

1 cup low sodium chicken broth

Water

1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles

8 warm corn tortillas

1 small avocado, sliced

1 cup red cabbage, shredded

Fresh cilantro, to taste

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.

In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.

Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.

You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.

Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.

Cooking and Serving Tips

Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.

Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.

MEXICAN ROSE TACO SALAD

This is from Vegetarian Times and begins, "Pick up the festive flavors of Mexico in this robust main-course salad. This would also make a beckoning brunch main dish. In either case, offer a basket of hot corn or flour tortillas as wrappers. To underscore the taco flavor, garnish this salad with whole or crushed taco chips, if desired." Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

This can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 head red leaf lettuce, rinsed

15-oz. can black or navy beans, drained and rinsed

15 1/4-oz. can corn, drained

6-oz. can pitted black olives, drained

1 bunch scallions, cut into 1-inch lengths

2 medium-sized tomatoes, thinly sliced

1 ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced

1 cup loosely packed fresh coriander leaves

1 to 2 jalapeno chiles, thinly sliced, for garnish

Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

Juice of 1/2 lime

1 tsp. chili powder, or to taste

3 Tbs. taco sauce

1 Tbs. granulated sugar, or to taste

Instructions:

Dry lettuce leaves, trim off tough ends and line salad bowl with leaves.

Combine beans, corn kernels, olives, scallions and tomatoes in a mixing bowl and toss to combine. Add avocado and coriander leaves and stir in gently.

To make dressing, combine ingredients in bowl and beat together to combine. Toss salad ingredients with dressing.

To serve, scoop bean mixture into the salad bowl. Garnish with sliced jalapeños.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 470; Protein: 20 g; Total Fat: 30 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 46 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 280 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: g

CHICKEN-WATERMELON TACOS

This yumminess is from the Food Network Kitchen.

Total: 30 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 tomatillos, husked and rinsed

1 large jalapeno pepper

1 small red onion (1/2 cut into large chunks, 1/2 thinly sliced)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (skin removed)

Juice of 2 limes, plus wedges for serving

Kosher salt

2 cups chopped watermelon

1 1/2 cups fresh cilantro

3/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (about 3 ounces)

Freshly ground pepper

12 corn tortillas

1 avocado, chopped

Directions

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the tomatillos, jalapeno and red onion chunks. Cook, turning, until blistered, 5 to 6 minutes for the onion and 7 to 8 minutes for the tomatillos and jalapeno. Transfer to a cutting board; cool slightly. Chop the tomatillos and onion; seed and chop the jalapeno.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tomatillos, chopped onions and half of the jalapeno. Cook until the vegetables release their juices, then add the chicken, the juice of 1 lime and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Keep warm over low heat.

Toss the watermelon, 1/2 cup cilantro, the sliced red onion, the remaining jalapeno, juice of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon olive oil and half of the cheese in a bowl. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet.

Add the remaining 1 cup cilantro to the chicken mixture. Divide among the tortillas; top with the watermelon salad, the remaining cheese and the avocado. Serve with lime wedges.

Monday, September 3, 2018

Labor Day, Double-Post Monday

It's Labor Day, a day celebrate the labor movement in the United States. And while that is the real reason we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September, it also marks the unofficial end of summer.

Mondays here always have a Meatless Monday post, followed with a Double-Post Monday group of recipes (like this one). Here are six recipes to help you celebrate Labor Day, including Bistro Onion Burgers and Sloppy Joe Sliders.

BUSH’S® BEST BLACK BEAN SALSA

This comes from Bush’s Beans, and begins, “Spiced up tomatoes, black beans, & corn are the colorful components of this zesty salsa!”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) BUSH'S® Black Beans, rinsed and drained*

1 can (8 oz) shoepeg corn, drained

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (basil, garlic, oregano flavored)

1 can (10 oz) Ro-tel diced tomatoes

8 oz Italian dressing

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium jalapeno, chopped

Directions

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours. Serve with tortilla chips.

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.

SLOPPY JOE SLIDERS

This comes from FamilyTime.com. It starts off, “Sink your teeth into these mouthwater sliders, that are easy to make and really fun to eat.” Prep. Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 8 servings (3 sliders each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 large onions, chopped (about 2 cups)

3 pounds ground beef

ketchup or 2 cups barbecue sauce

1 cup French's® Classic Yellow® mustard

1 /2 cup French's® worcestershire sauce

2 packages (15 ounces each) Pepperidge Farm® Mini Sandwich Buns (white or wheat)

Directions

Heat the oil in a 6-quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook unitl tender, stirring occasionally.

Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the beef to the saucepot and cook until it's well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.

Stir the barbecue sauce, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in the saucepot. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Divide the beef mixture among the buns.

GRILLED ONION BURGER

Here's a healthier version of a classic burger topped with grilled onions and all the fixings.

Makes 4 servings

Photo & Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1223.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Lettuce leaves

Tomato slices

Directions

Lightly shape Ground Beef into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush onion slices with oil.

Place patties and onion slices on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Grill onions, 10 to 12 minutes or until tender, brushing with oil and turning occasionally.

Season burgers and onions with salt and pepper as desired.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce. Place burgers on top of lettuce. Top with tomatoes and grilled onions. Close bun.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 368; Protein: 39 g; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g ; Dietary Fiber: 2 g ; Carbohydrates: 27 g

ALOHA CHICKEN BURGERS

This is from Chris McDaniel at AllRecipes. Chris wrote, "This tasty sandwich is like a luau on a bun!”

Time: 1 hr 20 minutes; Prep: 20 min; Cook Time: 30 min; Makes 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 slices thick cut bacon

2 large hamburger buns, split

1 tablespoon softened butter

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 slices pineapple

2 slices tomato

2 slices of iceberg lettuce

Directions

Place chicken breasts into a plastic zipper bag with soy sauce, seal the bag, and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes. While chicken is marinating, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, and set aside. Spread cut sides of hamburger buns with butter.

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil the grate.

Remove the chicken from the soy sauce, and discard the excess soy sauce. Place the chicken breasts onto the preheated grill, and grill until chicken shows good grill marks, is no longer pink inside, and the juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes per side.

When chicken is almost done, brush each piece generously on both sides with teriyaki sauce to finish grilling. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast, and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt onto the chicken.

While chicken is grilling, spread the buns open on the grill and cook until toasted and showing grill lines, about 2 minutes. Set the buns aside.

To assemble, spread the grilled sides of each bun with mayonnaise, and top each bottom bun with a cooked chicken breast, 1 1/2 slices of bacon, a slice of pineapple, a slice from a head of lettuce, a slice of tomato, and the top bun.

Footnotes

Cook's Note:

If you don't want to grill, loosely roll up marinated chicken breast with teriyaki sauce in foil, and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Then open foil, and melt cheese on top.

Tip

Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

BISTRO ONION BURGERS

This comes from FamilyTime, and starts off, “Are you looking for a quick and easy dinner that everyone will love? Try these burgers that use dry onion soup mix to add a savory touch.” Serves: 6; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 envelope (about 1 oz.) dry onion soup & recipe mix

3 Tbsp. water

6 Pepperidge Farm® Farmhouse™ Premium White Rolls with Sesame Seeds, split and toasted

lettuce leaves

tomato slices

Directions

Thoroughly mix the beef, soup mix and water. Shape the beef mixture into 6 (1/2-inch thick) burgers.

Cook the burgers in batches in a 10-inch skillett over medium-high heat until well browned on both sides, 10 minutes for medium or to desired doneness.

Serve the burgers on the rolls. Top with the lettuce and tomato.

Meatless Monday, Labor Day

It's Labor Day, the unofficial end of the summer in the United States. It's also Meatless Monday. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help you celebrate Labor Day, including Al's Veggie Burger from the Today Show's All Roker and Black Bean & Corn Salad. Enjoy!

GRILLED SWEET POTATO SKEWERS WITH HONEY MUSTARD

This yummy recipe, which would be perfect for a Labor Day cookout, is from Jolinda Hackett, About.com's Vegetarian Food expert. She writes, “Need an easy crowd-pleasing vegetarian dish to throw on the grill? Everyone loves sweet potatoes, especially kids, so try these simple grilled sweet potato skewers with savory-sweet honey mustard. The recipe calls for sweet potatoes, green and red bell peppers, red onions, a little bit of salt and pepper, and of course, some honey mustard.

“This grilled sweet potato skewers with honey mustard recipe is the perfect vegetarian barbecue recipe for sweet potato lovers. Be careful if you're planning on serving this dish to vegans, however, as many vegans avoid eating honey. This recipe is gluten-free.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 3 – 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 pounds medium-sized sweet potatoes (5 potatoes, 6 to 7 ounces each)

1 large sweet red and/or green peppers, cut in 1-inch squares

1 medium red onion, cut in 1-inch pieces, layers separated

1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil

salt and pepper, to taste

about 1/4 cup honey mustard

2 tbsp water

Preparation

First, prepare your sweet potatoes by giving them head a head start in the microwave. Prick them a bit with a fork, then place them in the microwave on high for three minutes. Turn them over (carefully!), then microwave for another 1-2 minutes, until almost tender and soft, but not quite.

Allow your sweet potatoes to cool, then peel them if you'd like, and chop coarsely into about 1-inch chunks.

Next, combine the sweet potatoes, chopped red and green bell peppers and red onion in a large bowl.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the honey mustard and the two tablespoons of water, then add to the sweet potatoes, peppers and onions in the bowl, tossing very gently to lightly coat.

Next, prepare your skewers, by threading a mixture of sweet potatoes, onions and peppers.

Make sure your pre-heated grill (or indoor grill pan) is lightly greased. Grill your sweet potato skewers for about 4 minutes on each side, brushing with any remaining honey mustard.

Note: If you don't have an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan, you can still make this recipe using your oven's broiler.

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALAD

This comes from Rachel Ray, star of The Food Network's 30 Minute Meals. Total Time: 25 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Inactive Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/black-bean-and-corn-salad-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

1 can, 14 ounces, black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups frozen corn kernels

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, half a palm full

2 teaspoons hot sauce, just eyeball the amount (recommended: Tabasco)

1 lime, juiced

2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil, eyeball it

Salt and pepper

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let stand at least 15 minutes for corn to fully defrost and flavors to combine, then toss and serve. The corn will also place a quick-chill on this easy side-salad as it defrosts -- no need to refrigerate!

BUSH’S® BEST BLACK BEAN SALAD

This comes from Bush's® Best's emailed newsletter. Check it out for more recipes! This one starts off, “This colorful Black Bean salad is dressed with a light, lime vinaigrette and only takes a few minutes to prepare. Serve with tortilla chips or as a side dish.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Servings: 6 to 8

Note: This would be a great recipe for Labor Day – or any other summer/early fall cookout!

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) BUSH'S® Black Beans, rinsed and drained

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 yellow bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup diced red onion

1 can (15.25 oz) corn, drained

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 tsp cilantro

1/4 cup olive oil

4 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Tortilla chips

Directions

In a small bowl, combine peppers, onion, corn, garlic and cilantro.

Add olive oil, vinegar, lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Add black beans and toss well.

Serve with tortilla chips.

AL’S VEGGIE BURGER

This is from TODAY’s Al Roker. The recipe begins, “TODAY's Al Roker may make a mean patty melt, BBQ brisket and rack of ribs, but he's also makes a great veggie burger. A mixture of black beans and mushrooms forms the base of his hearty and filling patties that are topped with a creamy and spicy Sriracha mayo. Serve the burgers with Al's Baked Sweet Potato Fries and you've got fast, easy and delicious meatless dinner for four.” Servings: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 cup white onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans black beans, drained

10 medium button mushrooms, stems removed

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 egg

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

1/4 cup Sriracha

1/2 cup mayonnaise

4 whole wheat buns

6 leaves Bibb lettuce

1 tomato, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

Preparation

In a large non-stick skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until cooked. Set aside.

In a food processor, add 1 can of the drained black beans and the mushrooms. Pulse five to six times. The mixture should be slightly chunky.

In a large bowl, combine the bean and mushroom mixture, cooked onions and garlic, second can of drained black beans, cumin, salt and pepper, egg, brown rice and whole wheat bread crumbs. Mix together until combined and then form into 4 burger patties.

Preheat the oven to 350°.

In a non-stick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the patties and brown them on both sides. Place the burgers in the oven and cook until the center is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, add the Sriracha and mayonnaise. Stir to combine.

To build each burger, smear the Sriracha mayo on the bottom buns, then add the burger, lettuce, tomato, avocado and top bun.

Serve with Al's Baked Sweet Potato Fries and extra Sriracha mayo on the side.

BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

Of course, Al Roker’s Baked Sweet Potato Fries have to follow his veggie burger recipe, right? This recipe begins, “The finishing touch to Al Roker's no-brainer sweet potato fries is a delicious spice mixture of cinnamon and cayenne pepper. You can also skip the spices and simply toss the sweet potato batons with olive oil, salt and pepper.” Cook Time: 18 minutes; Prep Time: 2 minutes; Servings: 4 - 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, washed well

2 tablespoons cooking oil suitable for high heat, like safflower oil

2 teaspoons salt

2-3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon (or to taste) ground cayenne

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F, convection setting. Line a large sheet pan with foil and lightly grease. Cut unpeeled potatoes lengthwise into 1/4" thick square rods, or 'fries.' Place in a large bowl and toss with oil and salt. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and cayenne. Add the mixture to the fries and toss well to coat evenly.

Place in oven and bake about 18 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. Serve warm.

BLACK BEAN AND SWEET POTATO BURGERS WITH GARLICKY CHIPOTLE MAYO

One of my favorite places to shop (if not my absolute favorite store) is Rollin’ Oats in St. Petersburg, Florida. (They do have another store in Tampa, but since I live near St. Pete, that’s the one I go to.) Great store, friendly (and knowledgeable) employees…dang, now I’ve got to make another run there!

Anyway, the store has a rack with free magazines, including Better Nutrition. This recipe is from the July, 2015 issue of Better Nutrition and begins, “These protein-rich burgers definitely have a ‘wow’ factor thanks to the hearty bean-sweet potato-and-quinoa base.” Makes 6 burgers.

To view this online, click here.

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained well

1 medium baked or roasted sweet potato, peeled and mashed

1/2 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice

1/4 cup ground flax

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

1/4 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Olive oil

1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise

1/2 tsp. chipotle powder

1 large garlic clove, pressed in a garlic press or very finely minced

Burger buns, avocado slices, and arugula, optional

Preheat grill to medium. Combine beans, sweet potato, quinoa, flax, onion, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mash beans with a potato masher into an even consistency. Let stand 5 minutes.

Using your hands, form mixture into 6 burgers; generously brush both sides of burgers with olive oil and arrange on grill basket. Grill 8–10 minutes on each side.

While burgers are cooking, combine mayonnaise, chipotle, and garlic in small bowl. Mix well. To serve, spread chipotle mayonnaise on both sides of burger buns. Arrange avocado slices and arugula on bottom halves, if using. Top with burgers and top halves of buns, and serve immediately.

per serving (without buns): 180 cal; 8g pro; 7g total fat (1g sat fat); 23g carb; 0mg chol; 400mg sod; 7g fiber; 2g sugars

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Sunday, Labor Day Weekend

Since tomorrow is Labor Day, here are six more recipes to help you with your Labor Day cooking, including Grilled Steak Tacos With Cherry Tomato-Avocado Salsa and Peachy Kabobs. Enjoy!

GRILLED BARBECUE CHICKEN AND POTATO KABOBS

This is from Tablespoon (tbsp.), and begins, “You don’t need to slave over the grill for delicious barbecue flavor. These kabobs get the job done fast!”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 (10-inch) bamboo or metal skewers

Slaw

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup olive oil

1 package (14 oz) shredded tri-color coleslaw mix

1 unpeeled apple (Fuji or Gala), cut into matchstick pieces

Kabobs

1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 medium sweet onion, cut into 1-inch wedges (1 cup)

1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch wide strips (about 6 thighs)

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Directions

Heat gas or charcoal grill. If using bamboo skewers, soak in water 10 minutes; drain.

In large bowl, beat vinegar, honey, mustard, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt with whisk. Beat in 1/4 cup olive oil in a thin stream. Add coleslaw mix and apple; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate.

In large microwavable bowl, mix quartered potatoes and water. Cover; microwave on High 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once, until just tender when pierced with a knife. Carefully uncover and drain; set aside to cool.

In large bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, the barbecue seasoning and 1 teaspoon salt. Add potatoes and onion; toss to coat. On each of 4 skewers, alternately thread potatoes and onion, leaving 1/4-inch space between each piece. In same bowl, place chicken; toss with remaining oil and seasoning in bowl. On remaining 4 skewers, thread chicken.

Place kabobs on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 5 minutes. Brush kabobs with barbecue sauce; turn, and brush other sides with sauce. Cook 3 to 6 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender and browned in places. Serve with slaw.

PEACHY KABOBS

Serves 8

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=815

Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/815.shtml

Ingredients

1/4 pound ham, cooked, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

1 banana, cut into 1/2-inch slices

1 8 1/4-oz can pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)

1/4 cup peach preserves

1 tablespoon pineapple juice

Directions

Drain pineapple chunks, reserving juice.Thread skewers evenly with ham, banana and pineapple.

In small bowl, stir together peach preserves and 1 tablespoon of reserved pineapple juice. Brush sauce over kabobs.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 70; Protein: 3 g; Sodium: 190 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g

GRILLED STEAK TACOS WITH CHERRY TOMATO-AVOCADO SALSA

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “In this supremely summery taco recipe, chile-rubbed grilled steak is topped with a spicy tomato-avocado salsa before being rolled into warm corn tortillas. Grilling the onions, garlic and jalapeño for the salsa adds a concentrated sweetness, while lime zest keeps everything sharp and bright. If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to use your broiler.”

Yield: 8 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Steak:

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 1/2 teaspoons New Mexican or other mild chile powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced

Finely grated zest of 1 lime (cut lime into wedges for serving)

2 1/2 pounds skirt steak (usually 2 steaks)

For the Salsa:

1 white onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch-thick slices

2 large garlic cloves, unpeeled

2 jalapeños

1 quart cherry tomatoes, quartered

1 avocado, diced

1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, more to taste

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

Corn or flour tortillas, for serving

Sliced radishes, for serving

Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving (optional)

Preparation

Prepare the steak: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chile powder, coriander, cumin, garlic and lime zest. Rub mixture all over the steaks, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.

Prepare the salsa: Light the grill or heat to medium-high (or heat the broiler). Grill onion, garlic and 1 jalapeño until tender and charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes (or place on a broiler pan and broil). Remove from heat until cool enough to handle, then roughly chop onions, peel garlic and remove seeds and stem from jalapeño.

Transfer grilled onion, garlic and jalapeño to a blender or mini food processor. Halve the fresh jalapeño and seed it, if desired, then add it to the blender. Process to a chunky paste. Scrape into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt.

Add more charcoal to the grill, if needed, and grill the steaks until done to taste, about 2 minutes per side for rare (or broil). Let meat rest on a cutting board covered with foil for at least 7 minutes. Meanwhile, grill or broil the tortillas until warm.

To serve, slice the meat across the grain, and serve with the warm tortillas, radishes, lime wedges, salsa and crema. Let people assemble their own tacos at the table.

STONE FRUIT POUCHES

This is from Alton Brown on The Cooking Channel.

Total Timei: 25 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups crushed gingersnaps

4 apricots, pit removed and cut into eighths

4 plums, pit removed and cut into fourths

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar

Pinch salt

4 teaspoons lime zest

2 limes, juiced

4 teaspoons brandy

Directions

Heat coals of grill or fire pit. Cut 8 (18 by 18-inch) squares of aluminum foil. Lay down double thickness of foil and divide gingersnaps evenly among the 4 squares. Divide fruit evenly and place on top of gingersnaps. Dot with butter. In small bowl mix sugar, salt, and lime zest. Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over fruit, drizzle with juice and brandy and seal packets. Once coals are ash covered, lay packets over them and cover with lid of grill. If cooking in a fire pit carefully try to partially bury packets in hot coals. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and open carefully, as steam inside packet is very hot. Serve on plates as is or spoon into shallow bowls and top with creme fraiche or ice cream.

GRILLED MARGHERITA PIZZA

This comes from Al Roker of The Today Show, and begins, “Skip the oven and throw a pie on the grill!” Servings: 2 pizzas.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound pizza dough (homemade or thawed from frozen)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup fine to medium cornmeal

1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, lightly salted

1 bunch fresh basil

2 cups pizza sauce

Preparation

Place a pizza stone onto the grates of a hot grill, or into an oven heated to 500 degrees F.

For two thin-crust pizzas, about 10”- 12”, divide dough in half and shape each half into a ball. Place on lightly floured surface and cover with a light towel. Let sit and rest for about 10 minutes. [Alternately, use 1 pound dough to make 1 large thick-crust pizza.]

Mix the flour and cornmeal together and set aside.

Slice mozzarella thinly, about 1/8” to 1/4” thick.

Wash basil and pull off leaves. Blot them dry on paper toweling. Discard stems.

Sprinkle a pizza paddle or the back of a baking sheet with some of the cornmeal mixture and place 1 ball of dough in the center. Using floured hands, press the dough out into a flat circle, beginning in the center and working outwards while turning the dough to get an even thinness. Leave the outer edge a little thicker to form a crust.

Spread 1 cup pizza sauce over the dough but not on the crust edge, then top with half the mozzarella slices and half the basil leaves.

Using a fast back and forth motion, slide the dough to the edge of the paddle or baking sheet. Lean it toward the pizza stone and quickly slide the paddle out from underneath the pizza so that the dough is sitting directly on the pizza stone. Close the lid to the grill and cook 5-8 minutes, checking frequently for rapid browning. Depending on the heat of the grill, the pizza may be ready sooner or take a little longer. The oven should take about 8-10 minutes. Repeat with the second ball of dough.

GERMAN POTATO SALAD

This comes from Bobby Flay of The Food Network’s Boy Meets Grill.

Total Time: 35 minutes; Active Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 8 servings; Level: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 pounds new potatoes

1 yellow onion, quartered

1/2 pound bacon, diced

1 large red onion, diced

3/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/4 cup canola oil or olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper

8 green onions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Preheat the grill to high. Place potatoes in a large pot with the yellow onion and cover with cold water. Cook, on the grates of the grill, or on a burner, until tender. Drain, discard the onion, and cut the potatoes into cubes when cool enough to handle. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and cover to keep warm.

Place a large saute pan on the grates of the grill. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the red onion to the rendered bacon fat and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully add the vinegar and mustard and cook for 2 more minutes. Whisk in the oil and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Add the hot dressing to the potatoes and toss gently to coat. Fold in the green onions and parsley. Season again with salt and pepper, to taste.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Saturday, Labor Day Weekend

I realize that I seldom post here on weekends. However, since it's Labor Day weekend, I've decided to post today and tomorrow (as well as Monday). Here are six recipes to help you celebrate Labor Day, including Bistro Onion Burgers and Sloppy Joe Sliders.

BUSH’S® BEST BLACK BEAN SALSA

This comes from Bush’s Beans, and begins, “Spiced up tomatoes, black beans, & corn are the colorful components of this zesty salsa!”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) BUSH'S® Black Beans, rinsed and drained*

1 can (8 oz) shoepeg corn, drained

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (basil, garlic, oregano flavored)

1 can (10 oz) Ro-tel diced tomatoes

8 oz Italian dressing

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium jalapeno, chopped

Directions

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours. Serve with tortilla chips.

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.

SLOPPY JOE SLIDERS

This comes from FamilyTime.com. It starts off, “Sink your teeth into these mouthwater sliders, that are easy to make and really fun to eat.” Prep. Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 8 servings (3 sliders each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 large onions, chopped (about 2 cups)

3 pounds ground beef

ketchup or 2 cups barbecue sauce

1 cup French's® Classic Yellow® mustard

1 /2 cup French's® worcestershire sauce

2 packages (15 ounces each) Pepperidge Farm® Mini Sandwich Buns (white or wheat)

Directions

Heat the oil in a 6-quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook unitl tender, stirring occasionally.

Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the beef to the saucepot and cook until it's well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.

Stir the barbecue sauce, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in the saucepot. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Divide the beef mixture among the buns.

GRILLED ONION BURGER

Here's a healthier version of a classic burger topped with grilled onions and all the fixings.

Makes 4 servings

Photo & Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1223.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Lettuce leaves

Tomato slices

Directions

Lightly shape Ground Beef into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush onion slices with oil.

Place patties and onion slices on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Grill onions, 10 to 12 minutes or until tender, brushing with oil and turning occasionally.

Season burgers and onions with salt and pepper as desired.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce. Place burgers on top of lettuce. Top with tomatoes and grilled onions. Close bun.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 368; Protein: 39 g; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g ; Dietary Fiber: 2 g ; Carbohydrates: 27 g

ALOHA CHICKEN BURGERS

This is from Chris McDaniel at AllRecipes. Chris wrote, "This tasty sandwich is like a luau on a bun!”

Time: 1 hr 20 minutes; Prep: 20 min; Cook Time: 30 min; Makes 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 slices thick cut bacon

2 large hamburger buns, split

1 tablespoon softened butter

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 slices pineapple

2 slices tomato

2 slices of iceberg lettuce

Directions

Place chicken breasts into a plastic zipper bag with soy sauce, seal the bag, and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes. While chicken is marinating, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, and set aside. Spread cut sides of hamburger buns with butter.

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil the grate.

Remove the chicken from the soy sauce, and discard the excess soy sauce. Place the chicken breasts onto the preheated grill, and grill until chicken shows good grill marks, is no longer pink inside, and the juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes per side.

When chicken is almost done, brush each piece generously on both sides with teriyaki sauce to finish grilling. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast, and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt onto the chicken.

While chicken is grilling, spread the buns open on the grill and cook until toasted and showing grill lines, about 2 minutes. Set the buns aside.

To assemble, spread the grilled sides of each bun with mayonnaise, and top each bottom bun with a cooked chicken breast, 1 1/2 slices of bacon, a slice of pineapple, a slice from a head of lettuce, a slice of tomato, and the top bun.

Footnotes

Cook's Note:

If you don't want to grill, loosely roll up marinated chicken breast with teriyaki sauce in foil, and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Then open foil, and melt cheese on top.

Tip

Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

BISTRO ONION BURGERS

This comes from FamilyTime, and starts off, “Are you looking for a quick and easy dinner that everyone will love? Try these burgers that use dry onion soup mix to add a savory touch.” Serves: 6; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 envelope (about 1 oz.) dry onion soup & recipe mix

3 Tbsp. water

6 Pepperidge Farm® Farmhouse™ Premium White Rolls with Sesame Seeds, split and toasted

lettuce leaves

tomato slices

Directions

Thoroughly mix the beef, soup mix and water. Shape the beef mixture into 6 (1/2-inch thick) burgers.

Cook the burgers in batches in a 10-inch skillett over medium-high heat until well browned on both sides, 10 minutes for medium or to desired doneness.

Serve the burgers on the rolls. Top with the lettuce and tomato.